Out and About Magazine Issue 9 Vol. 2

Issue 9 Volume 2

Oct - Dec 2020

LET’S TALK BEAUTY WITH

RACHITA GEMTU

TAKING LESSONS FROM

MARIAM FARAG

MORE THAN BEING INFLUENTIAL, JOSH YUGEN ASPIRES TO BE ALWAYS INSPIRATIONAL.

A Rising Movement, Hopeful as One:

THE BLACK ECONOMIC COLLECTIVE (BEC) Meet Diana Powell, Marcia Mcleod and Leanne Brackett, power-trio founders of The Black Economic Collective.

Out and About for

The Best UAE Spas 1

Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time.

We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.

Barack Obama

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Editorial

Editor in chief

Marsha Fry

marsha@outandaboutmag.com

Editor

Shella landayan

info@outandaboutmag.com

art

Art director

nakul thanekar

nakul.thanekar89@gmail.com

advertising

sales & marketing director

Andre Marshal

+971 50 127 8820 sales@outandaboutmag.com

general enquiries

On this month's cover Photographer: Mykyta Poluliakh

hello@outandaboutmag.com outandaboumagofficial outandaboumagofficial outandaboutmagofficial

www.outandaboutmag.com

Styling: Josh Yugen Outfit: Valentino Jewellery: Versace Fine Jewellery Hair and Makeup: Carla Fuentes

Published by Out and About Style FZE (Registered at Fujairah Creative City)

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EDITOR’S WELCOME “ You must be the change you want to see in the world. ”

~ Mahatma Gandhi

Life is a colourful and amazing experience.

We like to live in constant momentum, moving towards betterment.

But sometimes, our natural instinct to latch on to safety and certainty gets the better of us: it pulls us down to a quiet space where we wish for our own selves, people, eventsand even moments to stay as they are for as long as we wish them to be.

Change is neither bad nor good.

How we cope with change independent of our doing is up to us. In the same vein, how and why we choose to change can take us either to the path of progress or to a pool of stagnation.

One thing that we think is very clear: we are looking for changes, for answers. And we all want the world to be a better place to live in for ourselves and our children.

Together, let’s change for a better world, for a better us. As always, we at Out and About Magazine aim to inspire and encourage for a change that we want to see in ourselves and in the world.

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Features and Highlights Wardrobe Essentials Worth Your Investment comprise clothing and accessories that every streetsmart man or woman should definitely have in their fashion stash. Find more about these must-haves that can be worn in almost any trend in our Fashion feature.

Rachita Gemtu, influencer and creator of the raving Dramamama lashes, talks with us in our Beauty feature and we love her tips and tricks to keeping her beauty glow all day. Rachita, also a stunning mother of a beautiful baby girl, shares with us her story of success and the challenges of being a busy mum.

Stuck with dark circles and eye bags? Take notes on The Best Routines for Getting Rid of Dark Circles and Under-Eye Bags, also in our Beauty section.

Back in 2018, the Arab Fashion Week trended No. 1 on Twitter all over the world. Yugen PR, a rising PR firm based in Dubai, made it possible to have the first Filipina stride the Arab catwalk. Behind the company’s success is the impactful Josh Yugen, a multi-awarded Filipino writer, self-made entrepreneur and brand influencer who graces the cover of this issue. Find out more about Josh and his inspiring story of success in an exclusive interview in our Behind the Brand feature.

Taking Lessons from ‘a voice for women’s development and leadership’, we learn from Mariam Farag that success is all about ‘changing people’s lives, inspiring someone to make a change in their life’. Mariam is the Founding Head of Corporate Affairs in Brand Protection and Social Impact of MBC, and she has also worked with humanitarian causes, lifting people up throughout her journey.

In celebration of the Black History Month in the UK, we bring you A Rising Movement aiming to drive equitable economic change within the Black communities in the EMEAA region, which is The Black Economic Collective (BEC). We also have the honour of interviewing its three amazing founders, namely Diana Powell, Marcia Mcleod, and Leanne Brackett in our Voices feature.

“I feel like we can form deep bonds with others when we prepare food for them.” We heard these beautiful words from Chef Richie Richards’, Head Chef of Miss Lily’s Restaurant. Meet him in our Talent Pool section.

outandaboumagofficial

outandaboumagofficial

This issue is also a treasure trove of many Lifestyle articles to encourage you to seek the better change you’re looking for. If you’re wondering how to improve your team’s productivity, read on The Ergonomist: A Guide to Designing Office Spaces to Increase Productivity and learn some tips on ergonomic office layout designs with a focus on wellness and relaxation.

Worried about your career in the time of a pandemic?

Learn how to Future-Proof your Career by Building Resilience. Self-care is important, especially nowadays, so learn more the answers to the question: What is Your Self-Care Language? Manage your finances wisely, and add more to your knowledge on Wealth Consciousness.

We also want to voice out our deep concerns on climate change in our message in Getting Warm on Climate Action.

French fries are staples in every fast food restaurant, but did you know there are also different versions of this addictive snack all over the world? Find these French Fries Around The World in our Food feature. After the carbo-loading, step up your fitness game with 7 Ways to Improve Cardiovascular Fitness in our Fitness section.

Miss travelling? Check Out and About For The Best UAE Spas and the 15 Most Unique Hotels in the World and see if you can add it on your bucket list for your next travel adventure in our Travel feature.

Dear Black Women, Your Mental Health Matters: this article focuses on the mental health challenges faced by Black women all over the world. A bit lost in life? Live your life Just as You Like: your decisions, plans and dreams are all yours to live with and cherish. Finally, we bring you a Book Review on The 5 AM Club authored by Robin Sharma, who writes about maximising and improving one’s productivity. Read these articles in For the Culture.

Change for the Better You, A Better Us Changing something in our lives is not that easy, but remember that improvement and growth start with that one step that you might have delayed for too long. Out and About Magazine, with the team that made this Edition possible, is always behind you, giving you the courage, strength and inspiration to be the change we want to see in this beautiful world. You can do it!

outandaboutmagofficial

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OCTOBER IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. We stand with the Black men and women who, in the pursuit of the common good, are marching forward to live in a united, progressive world.

Diversity defines our humanity. In a hopeful world, our progress progress as humankind is measured by the extent of the convergence of our communal human values. To our mind, the highest level of progress is achieved when there exists no more walls, lines, or divisions between races, religions, and nations such that any man or woman, regardless of colour and gender, will never feel any form of exclusion and oppression.

We are Out and About Magazine, and we stand with the people of the world that clamour for the monumental change that will dawn upon us when there will be no more walls to break down, lines to blur, or divisions to take apart.

We are hopeful as one. And we will carry on.

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CONTENTS October 2020

SECTION 1

10 FASHION

• Wardrobe Essentials Worth Your Investment

SECTION 2

19 BEAUTY

• Let’s Talk Beauty with Rachita Gemtu • T he Best Routines for Getting Rid of Dark Circles and Under-Eye Bags

SECTION 3

36 BEHIND THE BRAND

• Josh Yugen, More than Influential, JOSH YUGEN Aspires to be always Inspirational

SECTION 4

43 TAKING LESSONS

• Mariam Farag, Founding Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand Protection & Social Impact, MBC Founder & Host of the Online Talk Show, Milestone

SECTION 5

51 VOICES

• A Rising Movement, Hopeful as One: The Black Economic Collective (BEC),

97 FITNESS

Meet Diana Powell, Marcia Mcleod and Leanne Brackett, power-trio founders of The Black Economic Collective.

• 7 Ways to Improve Cardiovascular Fitness

SECTION 6

SECTION 8

65 TALENT POOL

101 TRAVEL

• Richie Richards, Head Chef, Miss Lily’s

• O ut and About For

Restaurant

The Best UAE Spas • 1 5 Most Unique Hotels

SECTION 7

in the World

73 LIFESTYLE

• The Ergonomist: A Guide to Designing Office Spaces to Increase Productivity • Future-Proof your Career by Building Resilience • What is Your Self-Care Language?

• Wealth Consciousness • Getting Warm on Climate Action

92 FOOD

• French Fries Around The World

SECTION 9

110 FOR THE CULTURE • D ear Black Women, Your Mental Health Matters • J ust As You Like • B ook Review: The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma

Out and About Magazine tasks no responsibility for unsolicited photographs or material. The photographs in this publication are for illustration purposes, unless otherwise specified.

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Al Huwelat Street, Villa No 15 - 4 Al Bateen , Al Falah St - Abu Dhabi, Tel: 02 666 0175

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FASHION

WARDROBE ESSENTIALS WORTH YOUR INVESTMENT

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One can truly never get enough of buying clothes.

Our attire is what we use to present ourselves to the world; somehow, it displays parts of our personalities. It is important to be deliberate in what fashion items we spend on.

Trends are fleeting. These are the timeless fashion pieces in your wardrobe that last long and never make you feel out-of-style, so why not invest in them? We bring to you fashion essentials worth investing in for your dresser!

1. DENIM JACKET Everyone needs denim in their wardrobe. A denim jacket is what you need to save yourself on your indecisive days. You can put it on a dress, shirt, tank top, or even your sports bra and you’ll still be fashion-street ready! It

is the perfect item to bring out the most ef fortless yet stylish fashion expression. Good quality denim is always worth investing in, especially for people living in countries like the UAE as they cannot wear leather, faux fur, and corduroy most of the year. For these jacket-lovers, the denim jacket is the one.

2. WHITE SHIRT This is not just a white shirt: it is your blank canvas.

This dress shirt needs to have clean cut-lines. You can pair it with tailored trousers, jeans, and skirts.

The cotton shirt can even be worn with dresses as an over-wear to achieve a feminine yet fun and free look. This multi-functional clothing item harmonises with every colour on the spectrum and helps create versatile fashion looks. It can be stylised in any and every way possible. A women’s wardrobe is incomplete without a white shirt. This classic is eternal in fashion.

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3. LITTLE BLACK DRESS This is your day-to-night dress. We all already know that one can never go wrong with black. A plain black dress is your best friend in your world of dresses. This can be a short or midi dress. You don’t need to go over-the-top with the details and silhouette of it. Keeping it classic and minimal is what makes it so special.

You can pair it with funky over-wear and colourful shoes on a day out with your girls or keep it classy while accessorising it with some chic jewellery for a formal dinner.

4. NUDE POINTED HEELS After diamonds, shoes are a girl’s best friends.

Despite having a variety of footwear in the wardrobe, every woman needs the ‘perfect’ heels she can always turn to. Nude pumps are those essential pairs of heels. It can be of the high or midi heel. It is advisable to buy these heels according to the undertone of your skin shade.

This way, the pointed heels blend into your skin and best create the illusion of a taller stature.

These shoes not only correspond with almost every outfit but also add polish to it. These remain classy and versatile.

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5. TROUSER SUIT A trouser suit is probably the most crucial fashion item; one needs to be mindful in its selection. You need to choose the suit that best fits your body shape. Great quality trouser suit is especially a necessary investment for working women. It is your saviour for formal days. Nowadays, pastel shades are specifically trendy. If you are buying one for the first time, it is best to opt for neutral shades of grey and brown.

However, ‘formal’ does not mean you cannot play around with your fashion creativity and go wild with a trouser suit. The pants and blazer can be worn separately as well to experiment with various looks.

6. GOLD EARRINGS The right jewellery to your outfit is the cherry on the cake. Timeless and classic elements in jewellery are what make a statement. The two things you need to look for in your pair of earrings are gold and pearls.

These never go out of style. Not only that but gold earrings of the right shape and structure can help add to the presentation of your outfit and enhance your appearance. We suggest you invest in gold earrings that are in a hoop or geometric structure. Gold hoops with pearls are a great buy too. Contemporary styled earrings are more likely to be versatile too. However, don’t go overboard with the design and keep it subtle.

It is the hint of gold that creates the aesthetic.

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7. LEATHER HANDBAG Any outfit is incomplete without a bag: a great quality leather bag that is long-lasting is worth investing in. If you’re looking to splurge in one particular bag that compliments almost every garment of yourself, then you should go for something classic and timeless. Get yourself either black or brown bag with gold metal parts. Find your perfect size; neither too small nor too big. Opt for a bag that is for both work and play, yet is classy and elegant. The right bag adds luxe to your final look.

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When it comes to fashion, how can we forget our men?

Presentation is as important to men as it is for women. A classy man is mindful of what he has in his cupboard. The correct ensembles keep his collection sharp and posh.

1. CASHMERE KNIT Every man needs cashmere knits in his collection of garments.

These are the fashion pieces that never go out of styles. There is something endlessly attractive about cashmere jumpers on men. Maybe it’s the elements of power, softness, and warmth in it that enhances the elegance and charm of a man. These can be worn at home for lazy weekends and over a shirt and tie for office at the same time! Whether it is neutral and pastel tints or the darker shades, whether it is plain or patterned version, cashmere knits make your wardrobe more luxurious and handsome.

2. CORDUROY TROUSERS Corduroy has more versatility than people imagine it to have. Corduroy trousers are the perfect fashion piece to add texture to your wardrobe. The cut is everything when it comes to these trousers, too. We suggest sticking to a slim or straight trouser silhouette in case of doubt. It is best to wear them with items of lower body weight (such as white T-shirt, simple hoodie, etc) so the fabric nature of these trousers is not overshadowed. Even though chestnut brown and green are more common, burgundy is the perfect shade too. This colour adds some sort of unknown charm to the gear.

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3. LOAFERS Loafers come in different varieties and styles. Originally created as casual footwear, loafers became a part of formal fashion over time too and now, these have found their balance and prominent place in the fashion world. There are loafers for men of all kinds of fashion sense. They come in almost all colours (and some even in prints), mainly in both leather and suede. Regardless of the design, loafers look smart. They’re already on their way to becoming one of the most timeless pieces in a man’s wardrobe. Loafers add class and elegance to any ensemble. The spice of these shoes is the bare skin between the shoes and pants. The trousers worn with loafers should end just above the ankle. That’s how loafers enhance the flair of attire.

4. PERFECT PAIR OF JEANS Jeans are one of the most worn items from your wardrobe. Consequently, it is preferable to invest in high-quality denim and if properly cared for, it will stay by your side for a decade altogether. Search for a pair of jeans with classic cuts that fit your body best. It is best recommended to invest in a pair of raw (also known as ‘unwashed’) denim jeans. The indigo in it changes over time, and the jeans get unique fades. This makes these dark blue jeans versatile and exceptional in their process of ageing.

The perfect pair of jeans shapes the whole look. It even makes blue on blue look great!

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5. WATCH For men, watches have never been just about time. A man’s watch speaks for him. It is a symbol of his taste and prestige. The finishing touch of a fine watch polishes the gear. A watch is a serious and longterm investment and is worth your expense. The selection of the right watch needs to be meticulous and attentive. Keep the design classic and timeless. Your watch needs to be elegant, neat, and ethereal. The details matter. This is one fashion item you need to be wearing everywhere. This piece of accessory can be worn for decades and even be passed on as a token of legacy.

Undoubtedly, there is nothing wrong with buying trends, but it is more important to have the essentials around you as well. Make sure not to lose sight of the classic for the ever-changing trends. These versatile and timeless pieces are a must-have in any wardrobe.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ayesha AR is a fashion design student, working to fulfil her drive for being a part of the creative industry. What began as a hobby turned into a passion as she grew up. Preparing for medical studies her whole life, this brown girl didn’t want to become another involuntary doctor, and so she dropped her passed medical entrance examination and pursued fashion design. She showcased her skills as a designer in the form of her up-cycled, sustainable 3-piece garment in FASTE 2019, which won her awards. She continues to learn and work hard to achieve her dreams.

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Textures

Model: Renata Hamikus Photo: Jozsef Balogh Retouch: Anna Petrova Hair and makeup: Liv Rideg Location: Studio Madison, Budapest, Hungary

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BEAUTY

RACHITA GEMTU Company: Sculpt

RachitaGemtu

RachitaGemtu

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Tell us a bit about yourself.

I come from a small town in India, and I have been living here in Dubai for the past six years.

I first came here to do my Master’s. After completing my Master’s, I met my husband, and the rest is history.

It’s not something everyone is comfortable with wearing right now, but they still love it when I’m wearing them. I talk about them and show the before and after in my tutorials. I’m sure that once people start using them, they are going to love it!

I’m a very ambitious person. I love to take up challenges, and I’m a risk-taker. If I were in a room with twenty people and no one’s taking the risk, I’m the one who jumps in. Most of the time, I experience the joys of success through hard work and perseverance.

We wanted to have all levels of lash glam, and I wanted my brand to focus on Arab women.

My market studies tell that Arabs do love Dramamama.

I’m passionate about what I do. I can only work on something if I literally love that thing. I’m not someone who works a 9 to 5 job on a routine because I don’t want to do that.

Tell us about your lash line, Sculpt.

My lash line is special to me. I started working on it right after I delivered my daughter as I did not have much else to do. That’s when I started discovering more things about beauty. Lashes, in particular, have always been stood out to me.

It adds a great deal to my everyday look—a complete game-changer. I have tried so many brands that are available in this region. There was always something that was missing—the 3D and 4D kind that adds dimension. That was my idea. I wanted to have something like that in my lash line. I’m sure not everyone would like having those types of lashes, but I still wanted it in my line, and that’s what I did.

We started the line two years ago in my husband’s country, Macedonia. Two months ago, I started the brand here in Dubai. The lash line has three types—so far: we have the very natural-looking lash extensions, and the second one is called Fantasy, which adds more volume to your natural lashes and gives a bit more glam. The third pair is called Dramamama. Those are for people like me—they are insane! They are the 4D lashes, and I am obsessed with them. A lot of people I know are also obsessed with them.

What are your top three beauty products?

It’s very difficult for me to choose just three. If there are three products that I can’t do without, it would have to be a new lipstick with me at all times. I need to have a translucent powder too—it’s always handy right before entering a meeting. I prefer loose powder because Dubai has hot and humid weather. The third product is—without a doubt—Dramamama lashes.

Describe your night-time skin routine.

Night-time is the best time for you to pamper your skin. For someone like me, who wears makeup most of the time, the night-time routine involves lots of hydration. I prefer Korean brands. One of my favourite brands is Somebymi, and I use one of their toners.

After the toner, I apply a serum, and then the night mask or a sleeping mask, and a really good hydrating moisturiser on top of it. I add an under-eye cream, too. Sometimes, I like applying an evening oil.

Describe your everyday makeup look.

My everyday look must have a super bronzer and glow. I prefer to keep my base really light. I prefer foundations that are more hydrating but are more pigmented with low coverage. I love to top them up with a really nice bronzer. I really love using bronzers on my eyes, followed by a little bit of highlighter on the eyelids to give it a glowy kind of finish. Of course, adding on a really nice pair of lashes, a bold eyeliner and nude lips complete the look.

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What are some of the challenges you face as a beauty influencer who is also a mum?

I’ve taken care of my baby for the past three and a half years all by myself. I never hired a nanny.

I couldn’t find someone who I could trust when it comes to my girl. I think that’s a reason why she grew up to be a resilient toddler as well.

She’s super strong and super smart. She is very independent, and I’m very proud of her. There are good times, and then there are tough ones, too. There are times when I have back-to-back meetings, and she waits for me in a café or a corner table. It becomes challenging because I do not want her to suffer with me; I want her to be back home, but again, trust issues are there.

I’ve finally managed to hire a nanny for her. People also question me, I get asked ‘why don’t you cook for her?’ or ‘you’re always out’. They don’t know what I do when I’m out. It does get demotivating at times, but I know the struggles I have been experiencing as a mom is to give the best to my daughter.

If you weren’t in the beauty industry, what would you be doing?

When I was doing my Master’s, my plan was to get a 9 to 5 job to support my family back home.

I never thought I’d be an entrepreneur one day, but I have always been ambitious, and I always wanted something different. There was a situation back home, which made me think that I must get a job and help my family. As soon as I got married, I got pregnant, gave birth and was a stay-at-home mom. Therefore, I had enough time not to have a job and really think about what I wanted to do with my life. That’s when I discovered my love for beauty and decided I wanted to be a beauty influencer. Now, I feel like I couldn’t have ever been something else.

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How important are ethical standards for influencers?

This is an important question for me. Being an influencer means influencing people who believe in you, who follow you, who look to you for recommendations. These people go and invest money into something that you are recommending, so it is very important to be ethical.

Sometimes, influencers say things like ‘this works 100%’. Of course, you can say stuff like ‘this works for me, and it may work for you or it may not’. Influencers shouldn’t say these things because they are not certified to say them. According to studies, 54% of the population are now looking at influencers and their reviews before they go and buy something. Some people can’t afford to follow what influencers say. Can you imagine someone spending a lot of money eating at a restaurant that an influencer recommended when that restaurant is not good at all? So for me, it’s especially important to be honest, to be ethical, to follow guidelines: to be true to your audience.

It is also important to love the products you are offering to your audience. You should be open to your audience about the posts that are sponsored, posts that are ads and posts that you put up because you love the product.

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Social media can be mentally draining; how do you look after your mental health while maintaining your social media presence?

Yes, it can be super draining at times and can be super demotivating. Right now, there’s something happening in Instagram that’s really messing with the engagement.

That’s really demotivating. Sometimes you think, ‘Why am I even doing this?’

any results coming out. So, to calm myself, I sometimes go with my daughter for a staycation in a hotel near the beach. Even then, I try to create content. Keeping myself completely away from my phone is not an option. I have constant work going on. I still try to keep my phone in the hotel room for six to seven hours while I’m spending time with my family.

I constantly study social media as to how the algorithms work. That keeps me upto-date, and I know that these issues are not only faced by me. When it comes to content creation, you sometimes just don’t want to do anything because you can’t see

What’s that one quote you live by?

The quote I live by, which I’ve realised over the years, is: Live for yourself before anybody else; love yourself before anybody else.

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Black Girl Magic

Model: Solanch Aldazabal Photo: Jozsef Balogh Retouch: Anna Petrova Makeup: Liv Rideg Location: Studio Madison, Budapest, Hungary

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THE BEST ROUTINES FOR

GETTING RID OF

DARK CIRCLES AND UNDER-EYE BAGS

Dark circles and under-eye bags can be caused by a number of factors, like genetics, stress, dehydration, and excessive sun exposure. The skin around the eyes is thin and vulnerable, so a slight change in your lifestyle, diet and even your mental health can reflect these changes.

Makeup can definitely help, especially if you’re going to a meeting or a special occasion and we don’t want ourselves to look tired and stressed out. Keep this essential advice to mind and stick to a healthy everyday routine to get rid of those puffiness, redness and skin darkening around your eye area.

• Cold compress almost always works.

Cold compress may help lessen the swelling and puffiness. You can buy a readymade cold compress or a cloth and ice will work, too. Be careful and make sure it is not too cold for your skin as you may get ice burn. Other products that work like a cold compress include hydrating eye masks and soothing eye gels containing aloe, hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C and collagen. If you want to go organic or DIY, cucumber, which should be freshly cut and kept cold in the refrigerator, also does the trick.

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• Adequate hydration is the key.

Make sure you keep yourself hydrated at all times. Puffiness can be caused by lack of water so keep in mind to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Skin dryness brought about by dehydration also makes skin darkening worse.

• Don’t smoke and avoid alcohol intake.

Alcohol promotes skin dehydration and will cause discolouration and pigmentations to be more noticeable. It will also make you feel more tired, resulting in a dark circle and under-eye bags.

Smoking, on the other hand, can also contribute to getting those pesky eye bags by making the skin age faster.

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• Get enough sleep every day and de-stress.

Sleep is important not only for your overall health but also for your skin! Make sure to get enough sleep and wake up refreshed and ready for the day. Find ways to relax and de-stress whenever possible. Most of the time, dark eye circles and puffiness in the eye area are caused by water retention or the accumulation of fats overtime due to unhealthy sleep routines and stress.

• Wear sunscreen.

If you need to go out, protect your skin by wearing sunscreen. The skin under our eyes is thin and sensitive. Sun exposure will easily damage it so remember to add sunscreen on your daily skincare routine.

• Reduce salt intake and eat a healthy, balanced diet.

Excessive salt intake can result in dehydration. You will feel tired, and it may contribute to those daytime headaches and even constipation.

Always add fruits and vegetables in your diet as they contain a healthy dose of water and are packed with nourishing vitamins and minerals.

If your eye bags and dark circle persist, consult your dermatologist as they may suggest treatments and procedures. Always remember to take care of our body to stay healthy and beautiful from within!

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Boutique No.8, Aswaaq Center, Al Badaa, Al Wasl Road, Dubai.

Boutique 13, Building 8, Golden Mile Galleria, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. www.mokha1450.com

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T H E I M PA C T F U L

JOSH YUGEN

MORE THAN BEING INFLUENTIAL, JOSH YUGEN ASPIRES TO ALWAYS BE INSPIRATIONAL.

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FROM PRODUCING THE WORLDWIDE TRENDING ARAB FASHION WEEK 2018 TO BRINGING THE THEN REIGNING MISS UNIVERSE CATRIONA GRAY TO THE UAE, THE MOST FOLLOWED VERIFIED FILIPINO PERSONALITY ON INSTAGRAM TALKS EXCLUSIVELY TO OUT AND ABOUT MAGAZINE about the challenges of being a Filipino in a foreign land, building his own businesses from scratch, and showing the world the impact of perseverance and dedication— while shimmering in couture OOTDs and trending in social media.

just a few years, he landed editor roles in prestigious magazines. In 2012, the World Media Academy in Dubai conferred Yugen with the title of ‘Dedicated Journalist of the Year’. Three years later, he cofounded Xpedition Middle East and became its Editor-in-Chief. In 2016, the Miss European Tourism Association dubbed him the ‘Most Influential Travel Journalist’. Josh is also the first Asian to be awarded as the ‘Most Influential Journalist of the Year’ in Malta. Middle East’s leading Filipino community media portal The Filipino Times also named him as the ‘Media Personality of the Year’.

Entrepreneur and multi-awarded Filipino writer Josh Yugen is more than just an influencer. In 2007, Josh came to Dubai not knowing what lies ahead of his journey as a journalist. Today, his success has earned him numerous accolades.

With 211K followers on Instagram, the Filipino influencer is creating waves in the international PR scene through Xpedition Middle East, a Dubai-based luxury travel and lifestyle magazine, and Yugen PR, one of Dubai’s fastest rising PR companies—two companies he founded not just on hard grit, but through relentless dedication.

In 2017, Josh founded Yugen PR, a luxury, lifestyle and celebrity PR agency, affiliating himself with celebs, companies and socialites.

To date, he and his firm has worked with numerous companies and organisations, including the Dubai Autism Centre, Smile Train, New York Tourism, Philippine Tourism, Brand USA, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Constance Hotel Group, Beachcomber Resorts and Hotels, Waldorf Astoria Hotel Group, Star Group of Properties, Qatar Airways, Air France, Amato Couture, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Miss Universe Organization, and many more. In 2018, the Arab Fashion Week trended No. 1 on Twitter in the UAE, Philippines and several countries, as Yugen PR presented the country’s most prestigious fashion event with the first Filipina to ever walk on the Dubai runway.

From his humble beginnings in a quaint town in the Philippines, Josh drew inspiration to tirelessly persevere as a passionate writer. At 23, he started writing freelance for different magazines in the UAE. In

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1. TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

Impactful. I might be guilty or innocent on many things but this is me in one word: this is my past, my present and my future.

I have always strived to do something impactful since I was young. My current goal is to stay impactful for everything that I am doing, and in the future hopefully my legacy will always be impactful.

I am also an entrepreneur, social media influencer, philanthropist, and a very social person.

One of my dominant personalities is being personable. I love speaking to people as well as listening to their stories. I love writing and reading at the same time. I started my career as a journalist. Later on, I took on a role as a marketing manager before I started my own business, XPEDITION, which is a luxury lifestyle and fashion magazine.

After a couple of years, I have opened my own PR, Marketing and Events company, YUGEN PR. I work closely with many celebrities and VIPs in the region, as well as internationally famous personalities.

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2. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN BUSINESS?

As a kid who was diagnosed with verbal apraxia, I never uttered a word until I was six. Growing up, I have always treasured the importance of having my own voice, empowering myself through my writing. My pen has always been my greatest armour.

When I was a teenager, I have always thought that I would like to do something huge, something extraordinary, something inspirational. I do not aspire for fame, but I know that I had to be impactful. Many people call me The Impactful Josh Yugen, and it tickles me pink that I am reaching a place that I can only dream of when I was young. However, I always tell myself that I am still—and always—a work-in-progress.

During my stint in Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) under Dubai Tourism, it might have been destiny when I met my Emirati partner who helped me set up XPEDITION Magazine in 2014. Now, XPEDITION is one of the most luxurious travel and fashion publications in the Middle East. It is pure hard work and dedication that kept me going—and passion— to keep going even further. I made sure that I can use my voice this time to spread messages of hope, resilience, and empowerment.

In 2017, I founded YUGEN PR, a luxury lifestyle and celebrity agency trusted by the biggest fashion brands, real estate companies, celebrities, and even charities.

3. HOW DID YOU DECIDE ON WHAT BUSINESSES TO GO INTO?

I believe that having a life without a story is worse than death. This is one of the major reasons why I started a publication and a PR agency because we do not just sell couture clothes or luxury properties—we sell stories: beautiful stories that capture the relevance of the moment, empowering stories that inspire people to be better, and riveting stories that touch the human soul.

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4. WHAT ARE THE PROS OF OWNING MORE THAN ONE BUSINESS? Having one more business is like having more than one kid. Having one kid is completely a person’s preference and prerogative. For me, though, I would love to have more than ten kids—and I mean that I would love to have more than ten companies under one family— under one umbrella—because when the going gets tough and the tough gets going, a team, which works by benefiting each other, will always be tougher, braver and stronger—like a family.

5. DESCRIBE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU’VE HAD TO OVERCOME, HOW IT IMPACTED YOUR BUSINESS, AND HOW IT IMPACTED YOU PERSONALLY.

money should be controlled, it should never control you.

7. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR 20-YEAR-OLD SELF? Do everything that you have to do, but don’t be so hard on yourself. Cry, be angry, be sad, make mistakes and fall down even—because eventually you will stand up, dust it all off, and someday everything will make sense.

8. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WORKING WITH PEOPLE?

I only work for three reasons: to be happy, to make people happy, and to enjoy everything in between.

9. WHEN SCALING A COMPANY, WHAT DO YOU FOCUS ON FIRST, AND WHY?

The allure of comfort zones is like gazing on the sunken beauty of the lakes, and you can never cross the oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.

Challenges are the most stunning part of the story. I will never ever skip it.

I focus on things that I can control; the rest is destiny.

6. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE RELATIONSHIP WITH MONEY?

11. IF YOU WERE TO WRITE A BOOK, WHAT WOULD YOU NAME IT, AND WHY?

YOUR

It is absolutely a love and hate relationship! I would love to let it go, but I hate not keeping it to myself. Seriously,

10. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU ENTREPRENEURS ON MOVING BEYOND FAILURE? Be thankful: pain is the greatest teacher.

The Impactful: Josh Yugen

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12. WHO INSPIRES YOU WITH AWE?

Nature—it is so captivating yet so mysterious; it is so giving yet it can be so dangerous; it can be so breathtaking, but it can also take your breath away; it celebrates your birth, but it also awaits for your death.

13. HOW DO YOU LOOK AFTER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH? Prayers.

14. WHAT’S THAT ONE QUOTE YOU LIVE BY?

“Everything is just an illusion; the best thing you have done is imagination.”

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Taking Lessons

MARIAM FARAG

Founding Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand Protection & Social Impact, MBC Founder & Host of the Online Talk Show, Milestone Senior Consultant, UN Women mariam-farag-1473289

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TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

I’m a proud mother of two boys. I am an Egyptian by origin, but I consider myself a global citizen.

It gives me pride and great joy looking back on the work that I’ve done in the region and the world when it comes to the humanitarian field and sustainability.

Advocating for youth empowerment is one of my passions. Being a voice for women’s development and leadership is also one of my lifelong vocations. I’m also a true believer of humanising brands—brands with purpose.

I’ve been lucky enough to join different sectors.

I have 20 years of experience in sustainable development, humanitarian communication, and brand protection. I also have experience working with the United Nations for supporting women, working with small NGOs in Egypt, and U.N. High Commissioner for refugees where I worked on refugee protection and asylum seekers. From there, I joined the PR Agency world where I worked with Weber Shandwick and companies in the private sector who needed a little bit of guidance when it came to their public affairs and communication with purpose.

I worked with Nescafe, Proctor and Gamble, Majid Al Futtaim, Coke Cola, Sony, and many more. I had the honour of joining the Dubai Government Community Development Authority, where I worked alongside brilliant Emiratis, both young and seniors who are very compassionate and yet are very serious and knowledgeable.

From there, I went into academia, which is where I found my passion for being with students.

I discovered my passion for mentorship, for talent development, youth empowerment and development. Being with the youth of today really brings out the best in me. They inspire me so much. I feel like it’s a never-ending cycle of learning. The exchange between us is contagious.

It’s almost magical. Working with the youth is a crossover between youth development and advocating for the private sector’s and brand’s role in sustainable development and particularly developing their communities. Creating jobs, empowering women, giving women a voice and a platform to be financially independent, to lead their own lives, to create their own futures and to have a say in what is going on in the world.

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WHEN DID YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A SUCCESS?

Success for me means changing people’s lives, inspiring someone to make a change in their life. Clicking with someone and giving them that Aha! moment. I consider myself a success every time I communicate with another human being, regardless of age, gender, background and culture.

When I connect with someone on a soul and heart level—on an inspirational level—and I inspire someone to take on their path and really find their purpose, find and pursue their whys, start taking action, start taking hold of their future and bettering their situation, this is when I consider myself a success: when I actually help someone make a change and inspire someone to take on that change for a better future.

WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT?

I’m most passionate about really helping people achieve their dreams. Be it women, youth, children having access to school and quality education, brands willing to humanise their business and align their business goals with a purpose and impact on humanity. I work a lot with NGOs, board of directors for non-profit organisations, and among other private sector leaders and high net worth individual people and philanthropists. I do a lot of pro bono work.

I pride myself in rubbing shoulders and working side by side with these amazing inspirational leaders that never

tire of making a difference. I’m passionate about creating a better place for the youth, and for my sons.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR 20-YEAR-OLD SELF? Travel the world: experience different cultures and different backgrounds. I travelled, but I didn’t travel enough. I was in a hurry. When I was in high school, I was in a hurry to graduate and get to university. When I was in university, I was in a hurry to volunteer, do part-time work and gain the experience I needed to get the job that I wanted.

When I graduated, I was in a hurry to pursue my Master’s.

I went to London University of Westminster and finished my Master’s in International Relations and Political Theory.

After that, I was in a hurry to get the job of my dreams.

I joined the United Nations literally three weeks after I finished university.

I was constantly running, constantly in a hurry. I was scared to lose that right on the train. Throughout that journey (which I am grateful for) I forgot to travel. I have a passion for travelling and experiencing different cultures, different cuisines and meeting different people. Sitting with them, talking about different ideologies, exchanging different beliefs, debating different issues, learning from each other and inspiring one another. I forgot to do that because I was in a hurry. If you’re listening to me, then stop, take a break, travel, learn, take a moment to breathe and then come back. The choices you feel are important, but they can wait.

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WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO THE NEXT GENERATION OF FEMALE LEADERS?

My advice is, know your value.

Never ever compromise on your worth. The problem with women globally, not just in the region but the world, is that we compromise— we tend to doubt ourselves, which often leaves us compromising on our worth. We do not negotiate our salaries, we don’t negotiate our packages, and we don’t ask for more. We settle for what they give us. We don’t go for what we think we deserve.

To all those about to embark on your professional journey, know your value, and never ever compromise on your worth. If they don’t offer you a seat on the decision-making table, then bring a chair. If they don’t ask for your 46

opinion, make sure you give it anyway. Work hard and develop yourself. Don’t be afraid to be human. Don’t be afraid to be a woman in a man’s world. Right now, we need to create our own future.

We should complement each other and not take away from each other.

Embrace your femininity but never compromise on your worth.

is the only way they’ll be respected and gain customer loyalty and thrive in a business environment.

It’s not just about profit. It’s about profit, planet and people. If you invest in your people and invest in our planet, the profit will come.

WHAT KEY ACTIVITIES WOULD YOU RECOMMEND ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST THEIR TIME IN?

We really need to know our purpose and our whys very well. We need to understand our brand and be very passionate about it. If we have an elevator pitch and we don’t understand our brand and purpose, what kind of impact we’re bringing to this world and to customers, we will lose the investor. If the investor feels we don’t understand the brand and the product, we will lose the opportunity. Focus on the purpose and the product.

They should focus on how to make a difference in bettering the world.

They should research more on the Sustainable Development Goals and find a way to align themselves with these humanitarian objectives for them to make an impact the world that they thrive in and for the communities they profit from. This

WHAT SUGGESTIONS DO YOU HAVE IN PRACTISING AND REFINING YOUR PITCH?

TELL US ABOUT A TIME YOU HAD TO DEAL WITH FAILURE AND HOW YOU OVERCAME IT.

It was when I got married and moved with my husband to Paris. At the time, I had a great position at the United Nations. I had just started being on the international roster, and things were looking great.

When I met my husband, I decided to give that all up and move to Paris, where he was located. When I got there, it was a difficult first two years. I couldn’t find a job and looked everywhere. I was crushed. I felt like a failure. Even a volunteering job wouldn’t take me in. I’m a very active person, and I had nothing to do. I decided to learn French.

I made a few friends and life was a little bit more bearable. However, I still felt like a failure, but I didn’t give in. I tried to put myself back together every day.

To come out of the difficult situation, which was affecting my marriage, I decided to move elsewhere. I came to Dubai and found a job here. My husband followed after he found a job here. Fifteen years later, here we are. We needed to find a place where we both could co-exist, and Paris was not one of them.

IF WE’RE SITTING HERE A YEAR FROM NOW CELEBRATING WHAT A GREAT 12 MONTHS IT’S BEEN FOR YOU, WHAT DID WE ACHIEVE TOGETHER? I would be celebrating my company.

We would be celebrating the launching of my social enterprise and focusing more on humanising brands, working with companies who are looking to humanise their product, looking to dig deep into their business with purpose and to align their business goals with their sustainable development goals of 2030. My expertise is to connect the dots between brands, NPO and the media. It’s an important milestone as I’m going from being part of a big network and conglomerate to helping many others launch their social enterprise and mentoring youth and leaders on how to partner. That is a win-win.

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WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN?

Move forward. Look at the past and learn from our mistakes but move forward and keep going. Don’t look right or left, just look ahead. In my life, I’ve met many people who have helped me, but in any journey, there will be people who will put you down. Those people are going through their own issues. Perhaps they want to achieve what you have, but don’t have the power to get to that level. I wish these people well. I pray for their internal peace. I don’t hold any grudges. What I try to do is keep my eye on the prize.

NAME 2 BOOKS YOU RECOMMEND AND WHY

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle and Empowering Women by Louise L. Hay.

WHAT PODCASTS DO YOU LISTEN TO INSPIRE OR LEARN FROM? This is Netflix and TEDx.

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WHO INSPIRES YOU WITH AWE, AND WHY? My mother is my true inspiration with all the awe in the world. My mother had two strokes.

The first one left her with brain damage, and she was unaware of anything for a few months.

It also made her entire left side paralysed, but my mother is a warrior. She inspired me all my life. She was a single mother of three wonderful children. She worked harder than anyone I know to raise, educate and give us a life that was blessed, happy and motivating. She worked 48 hours in 24 hours to provide a good life for us.

Was she always there—no—but she was always there. The time she did spend with me was quality time.

She loved life. She did Zumba classes at the age of 82 till the day she had the stroke. Although now she’s broken, she’s still full of life. She’s still dancing with one hand, one arm, one leg.

She smiles, laughs, and she makes jokes. Now, her brain is functioning normally. She’s still so inspirational, the way she picked up herself. She was a divorcee in the 60s, which was very taboo in Egypt. She then started a business to support her family. That was unheard of at the time.

That was a difficult career shift. She was a TV presenter and rowing and swimming champion for Egypt. She had to give all that up because it didn’t pay the bills, so she started with real estate. For me, she is my warrior. My mother was an entrepreneur in the 70s when things that we have today didn’t exist. She did it all by herself with dignity on one shoulder and resilience and grit on the other with love for her children in her heart.

HOW DO YOU LOOK AFTER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH?

I look after it by exercising and watching sitcoms I really like. I do pilates three times a week and walk every single day. This is how I get the stress out and look after my mental health. This time to myself is precious. I need it to continue taking care of everything around me. I like to end my day with sitcoms. I love Friends. I’ve been watching it since 1994 and will never stop. I also like Modern Family and other sitcoms. I like to laugh. I don’t like to watch movies or shows that would bring me sadness or would scare me. Something else I do is to be surrounded by friends. The lockdown was very hard on me because I needed people around me. I also use the app Headspace, which helps with my anxiety.

WHAT’S THAT ONE QUOTE YOU LIVE BY?

“Fear does not prevent death. It prevents life.”

- Naguib Mahfouz

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SAVE THE DATE

Out and About Magazine presents

BLACK EXCELLENCE GALA AND AWARDS 7 pm | May 21st 2021

Theme: I am Black Excellence

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VOICES A RISING MOVEMENT, HOPEFUL AS ONE:

THE BLACK ECONOMIC COLLECTIVE (BEC)

Company: Black Economic Collective EMEAA

blackeconomiccollective

blackeconomiccollective.com 51

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Out and About Magazine lauds the efforts and draws inspiration from the founders of a truly remarkable initiative that highlights economic change within the Black communities of the EMEAA region. Meet Diana Powell, Marcia Mcleod and Leanne Brackett, power-trio founders of The Black Economic Collective. “We believe real wealth comes from building an economic family and community, mixed in with a real sense of moral cohesion topped off with a dash of empathetic care. If an active effort is made by each and every person to create the positive change we want in life, to be supported by people of the same vision and heart, the byproduct of this will surely be both spiritual and material wealth�.

Founders Diana, Marcia and Leanne

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An African Diaspora Economic Movement Black Economic Collective EMEAA (BEC) is a solution-based business networking initiative based in Dubai, UAE, founded by the desire to see equitable economic change within communities. BEC was launched in June 2020, as a direct response to the global protest, highlighting the realities of the systematic racism and disparity experienced by Black communities on a worldwide scale.

Founders Diana Powell, Marcia Mcleod and Leanne Brackett, coming from the African Diaspora, noted that many aspects of the Black Lives Matter movement resonate with them through their own experiences and the experiences of others. They wanted to see and spark change—to do something—being the women that they are. When asked if we want to see and experience real change within Black communities, these courageous women replied with a striking quote from Dr Claud Anderson: “We needed to have a new way of seeing, thinking and behaving.”

The idea of BEC was developed on the premise that sustainable,

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equitable economic solutions could be achieved through the development and nurturing of Black businesses and entrepreneurs. The vision is to create a collective economic ecosystem that will ensure the collective economic success of likeminded people who truly want to see and experience change throughout the African Diaspora. The founders of BEC believe that the nurturing of Black businesses must be part of the solution that nurtures financial growth, job creation, community development, and empowerment of Black communities, leaving a legacy for the next generation.

The aim of this economic movement is to target like-minded microbusinesses and entrepreneurs of the Black African Diaspora located primarily within the EMEAA regions (Europe, Middle East Africa and Americas) who share the vision of these brave women founders. They, as one, see themselves as facilitators focused on connecting and cultivating their members by working together to promote a more equitable economy.

DIANA POWELL

is an International Development Consultant and businesswoman born in London, UK. She lived and worked in Saudi Arabia and now resides in the UAE. With over 20 years of experience in education, youth, business and community development both within the UK, Middle East, Africa and the Caribbean, she has supported hundreds to realise their passions and aspirations. As the founder and former CEO of the Global Institute for Entrepreneurship, she has provided consultative support and training for a number of UK private, local and central government organisations, as well as international agencies located within the UK. With her extensive knowledge in supporting and developing social enterprises and businesses primarily targeting African and Caribbean communities, she has developed a number of programmes specifically for this group including developing community projects, and supporting groups to access funding in order to develop a number heritage and social business initiatives. She is also a presenter on Ari Ma’at on GKTV, Black Group Economic Show showcasing and interviewing entrepreneurs, alongside conversations on topical business current affairs affecting Black communities. She has participated in a number of events including the World Entrepreneurship Forums and African and Arabian International Women Business Conferences.

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MARCIA MCLEOD

is an inspirational speaker and life coach who works with people, particularly women, to find the inner gems that will help them live the life of their dreams. She is the creator of the Powerful Purpose Philosophy™, a lifechanging self-development programme.

The Powerful Purpose Philosophy™️ was developed following years of finding herself emotionally, mentally, and physically stuck, and after embarking on a mission to uncover the deep-rooted source of her insecure, negative, and self-limiting beliefs. While born in London, UK, she now resides in the UAE and helps women globally to discover their purpose.

With over 15 years of experience in education and business, she equips women with tools and strategies that help them realise their own amazing story of self-discovery, and cultivate empowerment for their greater good. Marcia is also the co-founder and co-host of Mind Over Matter Talks, a weekly podcast which focuses on mental health while challenging some of the taboos within the Black community. She is also an author, mentor and mother to three amazing children.

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LEANNE BRACKETT

is a creative entrepreneur, host, entertainer and motivational author of self-help workbook, I Am What I Say I Am. Through her own personal journey of self-discovery, evolution and experience in business and music as a Black female, she uses her voice to serve the world and empower people to show up as their true selves as a proclaimed self-love advocate. As part of the UN’s decade initiative to recognise people from the African Diaspora from 2015 - 2024, she was nominated for the Top 100 Most Influential People of African Descent in 2020.

Born and raised in West London, she found her passion and gift for connecting with people through her vocals and writing early on as an independent artist by the stage name Kai in the UK. Now based in Dubai, her contagious aura and business acumen can be seen both on and off the stage, serving her purpose to help women discover the best version of themselves, or empowering the Black community and businesses through the platform, Black Girl in Dubai.

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Interview with the founders We spoke with Diana, Marcia and Leanne regarding their take on different issues, and how The Black Economic Collective could help the Black community in the EMEAA region.

Has the rise in social injustice against African-Americans influenced your business decisions? If so, how?

The social injustices that we have witnessed in the mass media over previous months are only the tip of the iceberg. If we are to use the iceberg metaphor, we will understand that there are different elements—from the visible to the explicit, to the hidden and unseen. The African American experience is happening throughout the African Diaspora on a global scale. The media focus was ignited within the USA; however, we also saw protests globally highlighting the social injustices happening to other Black communities. Drawing from this, we initially thought about developing our network within the UAE. With a deeper understanding of the issues affecting our communities along with our own journeys and experiences as expats, we wanted to develop an initiative that would be more inclusive of our shared heritage and experiences—our common bond—rather than the country of birth. We decided that this “bond” would be nurtured with like-minded individuals who could connect with the Black African Diaspora experience within Europe, Middle East, Africa and the Americas.

The amalgamation of the global lockdown and global protests has enabled many people to rethink their lives, their purpose and what really matters to them. Only a few months ago, the conversation of racism, for many, was an uncomfortable reality. Today, those realities have “hit home” as truths for so many of us. As with the iceberg metaphor, many of those realities are hidden and unseen; we experience them but do not clearly understand them. We have had many conversations with businessmen and women who have had many challenges over the years and have struggled to find solutions— with many in silence—to their problems. So many Black businesses have come up against

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challenges and obstacles that are not always visual to the eye.

We are not saying that BEC has the answers to everything. What we want is for this understanding to sink in: that we are now moving into a “New World”, a “New Normal” and a “different way of thinking”. BEC is creating a shift and new narrative, for those who are looking for a change. We are very ambitious in our ideas and thinking. We see ourselves as connectors and pioneers. We want to see Black businesses survive and thrive by providing solutions and making a contribution to collective liberation globally: a Black economic ecosystem which is the “blackprint” of group economics.

What is your take on the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement?

For us, simply posting a black screen on Instagram or spending a few moments parading a Black Lives Matter sign probably won’t help improve the lives of Black people!

BLM seeks to expose long-standing racial inequality for Black people globally and spark efforts to address it. Sadly, at times, it seems the movement has descended into partisan finger-pointing that labels everyone who doesn’t publicly express complete support as part of the problem. In our humble opinion, fundamentally little is achieved this way.

These cultural displays, be they posting on social media, aren’t what the Black people actually need to evoke change. Black people need to take actionable steps that will hopefully have long-term benefits. There is tangible work that needs to be done. Actually helping people is what supporting BLM means to us.

The more recent Black Lives Matter protests have led to increased support for Black-owned businesses on a global scale. One of the many ways that BEC is translating our support for Black Lives Matter into meaningful action is by highlighting and championing the success of Black-owned businesses through our flagship initiative called the BEC Booster.

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What are the major challenges that Black businesses face?

As mentioned, there has been much support and interest in Black-owned businesses. However, the pandemic has also hurt, and some could say magnified, other existing challenges experienced by Black businesses. Facing racism and discrimination, whether overt or subtle, is very real for Black businesses. A recent study by Groupon and the National Black Chamber of Commerce highlighted that 80% of Black businesses face significantly more challenges getting their business off the ground due to race, while 85% said they had to overcome more obstacles than non-Black business owners. 59% reported being victims of racism or bias when starting their business.

UK research has also shown that almost a third of Black people in England want to start their own business, compared with just 9% of the white population. However, only 4% of Black people do manage to launch a start-up—a level lower than any other ethnic group. Accessing finance and advice are the key challenges for would-be Black entrepreneurs. According to one study, Black entrepreneurs are four times more likely to be denied a bank loan outright than white entrepreneurs, while the UK Survey of Small and Medium Enterprises shows that as many as a quarter of Black entrepreneurs report problems in accessing finance.

In terms of support, the study by Groupon and the National Black Chambers of Commerce also highlighted that half of the Black Businesses studied had a hard time building a support network while a further 27% struggled with owning their accomplishments which their non-Black businesses counterparts didn’t necessarily have to overcome when creating a successful business. Other challenges include securing funding and capital investment, access to various government and non-government programmes and access capacitive and growth initiatives.

How do you support Black businesses in the region?

Our two-step approach begins by facilitating a relationship network of our members, and secondly, raising the profile of members by developing strategies that promote their economic growth. As mentioned, research has highlighted many of the challenges businesses experience daily. So many of us feel that we don’t have the answers, but the truth is we already have many of the answers, and the key is to join the dots. Many amazing Black men and women are developing and growing fantastic brands by doing all the right things. We aim to leverage these talents within BEC. We now live within a truly global community. Many Black businesses have been forced to rethink their business 61

models and strategies. The pandemic has created many challenges, and yet it has also opened many doors for Black businesses—as we would say, “made the impossible possible”.

More than anything, Black businesses have been forced to reevaluate their relationships on many levels. BEC is about developing and nurturing those relationships and raising the profile amongst its members.

By listening and understanding the concerns of Black businesses, we aim to create a sustainable economic environment that will develop growth and wealth opportunities for members, creating an environment for collaboration and knowledge-sharing opportunities to evoke camaraderie and unity which may include fostering job creation.

During the last quarter of 2020 into 2021, we will be launching a number of initiatives, particularly targeting Black micro businesses, entrepreneurs and business start-ups within the EMEAA regions.

Online bespoke and sector-specific business training workshops catering to both established and new business start-ups.

These workshops will allow our members to access quality workshops throughout the EMEAA regions and beyond.

Black Business Conference EMEAA, our annual flagship event. The theme for this year which will be held on Saturday 14th November “The New Normal - Surviving COVID 19 and Beyond” Black businesses. Due to the restrictions of social distancing, this event will be an online event. Bookings can be made via the BEC website.

BEC Booster will aim to create innovative BEC Booster campaigns, particularly amongst smaller unknown brands that just need that extra “boost” of exposure International networking opportunities amongst our members within the EMEAA regions providing opportunities for its

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members to reach wider markets and tap into investment opportunities Ujima Mentoring Programme, where member mentees gain access to knowledge and experience of business people who value the meaning of Ujima We are currently refining our new membership programme to provide our members with more offers and opportunities.

We are always exploring new opportunities and developing affiliations with businesses and brands within the EMEAA regions, who also share our vision and can also add value to our BEC family.

How can we better support Black businesses individually and collectively?

There are many ways to support Black businesses. Aside from shopping or using products and services, when you find a good one, share your positive experience with others on and offline. Tag your photos and check-in your visits to their locations. Like, comment and share their content and promotions on social media. Collectively, hold meetings, networking, celebrations and other events in Black-owned venues and spaces. In any case, give feedback to the business so that they can grow and improve with customer reviews.

Tell us about a few stand-out Black businesses in the region.

Here are notable Black-owned businesses in the region: Mokha 1450 is the Heart of Coffee in the UAE, a beautiful coffeehouse for serious coffee connoisseurs where you can even enjoy unique and exotic Caribbean flavours such as the famed Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. The place is very relaxed and warmly uplifting. Visit one of the two locations in Palm Jumeirah or Al Wasl.

Finchitua is an edgy modern streetwear brand with origins in tribal Ethiopia, winner of the

2020 Streetwear Brand of the Year. The brand is known for its unique apparel line, which also provides sustainable work for dozens of skilled Habesha weavers in rural Ethiopia. We love the fact that each purchase made means you support African tribal fashion while helping preserve the traditional Habesha art form. To check them out, Finchitua is based in The Westin Mina Seyahi, Dubai.

Scintillia Skincare is a luxury skincare facility based in the capital which prides itself on offering effective beauty treatments using a specific selection of some of the best luxury products. Natural ingredients and wellbeing are at the core of what they do.

Boasting two branches across Abu Dhabi, you are sure to feel fabulous after a trip to Scintillia. Branches are located in Amaya Towers 2 Reem Island and Muroor Road.

Garvin Reid is an amazing photopreneur hailing from the Bronx currently based in Abu Dhabi known for depicting the world through his Galaxy and Canon, one to definitely check out if you are looking to create some photographic memories in the sandpit. You can find him at @ reidtweendaline on Instagram.

What advice would you give to a Black person starting in business?

Starting a business can be an amazing yet overwhelming experience, but it doesn’t have to be. There are many areas to focus on and we would advise writing your ideas down and always asking for help and support at every stage! Two important areas we think need highlighting: Collaborate, join forces; we are stronger together. Find your tribe.

Learn the numbers, get help if you don’t know, we must do better with economic power.

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Tell us about your recent event, The BEC Booster.

The concept behind the BEC Booster is to encourage business owners and consumers to be part of a movement that has economic solidarity across the globe.

On a specific day of the month (e.g.

1st Saturday), a business is spotlighted to give them mass exposure driven to all their on and offline locations to raise awareness and increase sales within the Black community. On this day, the business will create a limited exclusive promotion for customers who shop with them as a result of the BEC Booster promotion. This will help to increase the buzz.

We were super excited to have officially launched recently in conjunction with UK Black History Month, where we went live with our media partner gotKushTV to introduce ourselves to the world and showcased our inaugural exclusive BEC Booster offer.

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TALENT POOL Richie Richards

Head Chef

Company: Miss Lily’s Restaurant

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Richie Richards

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Tell us a bit about yourself.

I was born in Old Harbour, St. Catherine.

I’m a proud Jamaican national. My professional culinary journey started at the Runaway Bay College of Hospitality in Jamaica. I furthered my studies at the Culinary Institute of America, where I was awarded accreditation as a Certified Executive Chef and Chef de Cuisine. I have over fifteen years of experience as a professional chef.

Since 2016, I have been here in Dubai, working relentlessly to showcase my culinary skills and my Jamaican upbringing—being an ambassador to my country of birth.

When did you know you wanted to become a chef?

My dad was a mechanical engineer during weekdays and a farmer on the weekends. As a child, I would go to the farm with him and help tend to the crops and livestock. At first, I thought it was punishment because on weekends all my friends would watch cartoons and play, while I had to be doing chores with my dad. I found a new appreciation for farming, planting crops and tending to them, reaping and cooking fresh vegetables from the farm with my mother—and that sparked my interest in the culinary arts.

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Describe one of your earliest food memories.

As a child, every Christmas, my mom would bake cakes and puddings to be sold in our community and church.

I would always be there and help her. My favourite part then—until now—is tasting the cake batter before she puts it in the oven.

What brought you to Dubai?

Dubai was always on my bucket list of places to visit, so when I got the opportunity to work as a Sous Chef to the first Jamaican restaurant in Dubai, Ting Irie, I was ecstatic. I was excited not just to be here but to be an ambassador to my country as well.

If you are given the freedom to prepare a meal for someone, what would you cook and why?

I would love to cook for Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. I would love to prepare Jamaica’s national dish—ackee and saltfish with fried plantain and johnny cakes for him.

How do you feel about being able to share your culture through food?

I love it. I think it’s one of the most effective ways of sharing one’s culture with other people. I feel like we can form deep bonds with others when we prepare food for them. I can also tell a lot about a person through their food.

Describe dining at Miss Lily’s.

Dining at Miss Lily’s is an experience on its own. You enter the venue, and it’s like you’re no longer in Dubai.

It feels like you are back to Jamaica with the ambience: the décor, the hospitality of the Jamaican staff, and of course—the food. There is something on our menu for everyone no matter what your dietary needs are.

Who inspires you with awe, and why?

I take inspiration from many great chefs, but it is my mentor Executive Chef Karl Thomas who inspires me most. It is because of his passion, drive, knowledge of the culinary arts, personality, and work ethic.

What is your guilty food pleasure?

To be honest, it is sushi.

What has been the most memorable part of your career so far?

I’ve had so many memorable moments in my career, so it’s hard to pick just one. One of my proudest moments was training a steward to become a chef. He was then promoted to my position as Sous Chef after I resigned.

What advice would you give to aspiring chefs?

Go out to eat, try new things. If possible, travel for food, read a lot, challenge yourself every day, and remember that recipes are just guidelines—always cook from the heart.

What do you do outside of being a chef?

I am just an ordinary person who loves nature, and surprisingly, anything dangerous!

How do you look after your mental health?

I exercise a lot. I do things that make me happy like hanging out with friends, listening to music, watching nature programmes, and playing online games.

What’s that one quote you live by?

The quote I live by is: “I’m driven by faith and not by sight.”

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Lifestyle

THE ERGONOMIST:

A GUIDE TO DESIGNING OFFICE SPACES TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY As a small business owner who constantly juggles between work and family pressure, I was truly challenged when resuming to outside meetings in client’s offices which are often messy and cluttered. That made me reflect if returning employees would feel easy and comfortable adapting back into their workspace and routines.

“The single overriding objective in wellness is creating constant

It is vital for businesses to take care of their employees the same way that they care for their customers. Businesses should look into different ways to create a wellness sanctuary within the confines of the office and discover an oasis for creativity and resourcefulness.

personal

I remember back in my time when corporate offices rarely reflected a space of mindfulness and productivity; employees were squeezed into utilised corners, sometimes in basements or back of houses areas with no light and fresh air. Being affected myself of not having the power to get into my zone at my workspace, I like to draw your attention to the following tips on how to design a healthy wellness office that boost the productivity and brain work of your employees with little or no budget at all.

with joy.”

renewal

where

we

recognize and act on the truth that each day is a miraculous gift, and our job is to untie the ribbons.

That’s the Law of Esprit: living life

—Greg Anderson

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Use minimalistic design

“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” — Albert Einstein.

When designing or setting your office arena, allow spaces for improved mobility by introducing minimalistic design. Configure your office space without many distractions that will encourage your personnel to get up and move accomplishing tasks. That enhances the wellbeing by bringing more oxygen to the brain.

Researchers at New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) found that the foot’s impact during

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walking sends pressure waves through the arteries that significantly modify and can increase the supply of blood to the brain. Activities such as pedalling, walking and running may optimise the brain’s function and process and overall sense of wellbeing during the exercise.

Another great tip to create a dynamic environment will be to invest in standing desks. That is a workplace wonder for your employees! If you don’t have the budget for it, introduce one or two standing desks where your employees go and accomplish tasks while standing

Number two: Introduce natural light where possible “Light attracts light.”—Warsan Shire

an average of 46 minutes more per night.

Let the sunshine in!

Another study shows that exposure to light turns the genes that control an organism’s internal clocks “on” and “off.” Your circadian rhythms dictate your sleepwake cycles, hormone release, body temperature and other important bodily functions.

Working in a windowless environment is detrimental for human health, and unfortunately, today, it is a universal phenomenon. A new study titled, “Impact of Workplace Daylight Exposure on Sleep, Physical Activity, and Quality of Life” concludes that there is a strong relationship between workplace daylight exposure and employees’ sleep, activity and quality of life. The research abstract was published recently in an online supplement of the journal SLEEP. “Day-shift office workers’ quality of life and sleep may be improved via emphasis on light exposure and lighting levels in current offices as well as in the design of future offices,” said Cheung, study co-author and a doctoral candidate in the Interdepartmental Neuroscience program at Northwestern University in Chicago.

Compared to workers in offices without windows, those with windows in the workplace received 173 percent more white light exposure during work hours and slept

By introducing more light into your offices and task light on each desk, as well on each lounging and sitting area, performance and concentration abilities will be enhanced. Wherever natural light is not possible, use glass dividers between desks that will amplify the light travelling from outside to create a brighter space indoors.

Remove or minimise the fluorescent light and use LED tubes, bulbs, halogen or ceramic metal halide (CMH) lighting that are proven to be less energy-consuming, last longer, as well have a better impact on human health. The most important tool to improve productivity, stay focused and not have your eyes feel strained in the office is to have a desk lamp that provides high-quality warm LED light that will create the perfect environment to concentrate and zoom in.

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Number three: Create a biophilic design

“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature, it will never fail you.” —Frank Lloyd Wright Biophilic design incorporates elements from nature, such as plants, water features and anything that mimics natural environment into the workplace. Although this approach is still new, many experts believe by delivering many businesses immense benefits, it will soon become mainstream. Placing natural plants at the workplace will improve the air quality significantly as the greenery absorbs pollutants, toxins, airborne microbes, and bacteria.

Research by Norway’s Agricultural University in Oslo indicates that plants remove harmful volatile organic compounds, such as formaldehyde and benzene, found in paint, carpet and furniture of most buildings. Plants will help remove the toxins produced by printers, photocopiers and other 76

office equipment as well as add moisture to the air, which inside offices is naturally dry. Incorporating other natural elements, such as an indoor water feature and wooden furniture, or paintings with a beautiful landscape, can help to create a more positive and joyful workplace ambience.

More greenery in your office will create a sense of connection to nature. Perhaps place an aquarium or a beautiful flower art designing a mindfulness zone to reduce the stress and enhance concentration. According to the Human Spaces Report 2015, which studied over 7,600 office workers in 16 countries, nearly two-thirds of workers have no live plants in their workspaces.

The study also found that those whose environments have natural elements reported a 15% higher wellbeing score and a 6% higher productivity score than employees whose offices didn’t include such elements.

Number five: Be creative use colours in your office “Mere colour, unspoiled by meaning, and unallied with definite form, can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways. ” —Oscar Wilde The brain remembers information better when it’s presented in colour. Science has proven that images are most memorable when presented in a palette of colours derived from the natural world. When stimulated by colour, the brain has an increased capacity to transfer the visual image to the memory, and when scenes are presented in colour, the brain organises, compares and recalls information more efficiently than black and white scenes. The colour science is used now widely in visual arts to create a specific effect on the viewer. The idea of using colours to elicit certain emotion and mood goes beyond art and can be easily implemented at your business to strategically influence the behaviour of your employees.

How do different colours influence the nature of the brain?

These are the top colours you can use to improve the Red: Red shades are used to catch people’s attention.

An experiment performed on students showed they scored higher on memory tasks when completing them on a red background. However, this finding depends on

where you live and work. In North America, for example, red is aligned with danger or stopping, which increases the natural response of fight or flight that can cause the contrary effect at work.

Blue: Blue is proven to increase calmness and boost productivity. It is well-known as a calming colour that can slow breathing and lower blood pressure.

Yellow: This tone will get people easily energised, joyful and collaborating. Yellow is possibly the most inviting and uplifting colour in the rainbow. No matter what shade it is, yellow reflects vibrancy and excitement.

Green: The shade of green brings people to a very calm and relaxed state of mind at work. Colour specialists and psychologists note that green is found frequently out in nature, and therefore promotes the welfare and peace of mind and happiness.

Orange: Orange can be utilised to raise the activity and productivity levels of your employees. Some research suggests orange may be the best colour to use around the office to boost productivity as it originates from mixing the shades of red and yellow together. Orange conveys enthusiasm and endurance.

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Number six: Convert unused spaces into a wellness room “Please leave your shoes, stress, anxiety, worries, gossip, and cares at the door. Namaste.” —Unknown Have a walk around in your building and identify any unused space such as a rooftop, a balcony or a meeting ground that can potentially be a wellness zone. Place some yoga mats and perhaps a massage chair for stress relief, stretching, and meditating. If you don’t have the budget for a fitness trainer, let the employees chip in and deliver every week 30 minutes to one hour of their favourite exercise. The great team spirit, along with the positive mental health effects of the exercise, will keep your employee wellness at the maximum levels at their private life and business.

A wellness room is a designated quiet area where employees can escape to when feeling the pressure of a fast-paced work environment and take some quiet time when they’re not feeling well.

Wellness rooms can serve numerous functions and

should be customised to meet the unique needs of employees. For example, a company’s wellness space might provide a private area for aroma, sound and light therapy (using different methods as natural lightboxes, soothing music and rejuvenating essential oil infusions to ease depression, relieve stress and uplift spirits).

Number seven: Grow a community by introducing workplace wellness committee “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” —Mother Teresa As we grow older, we recognise the importance of having a good community and authentic genuine people we share our values with and feel respected and supported by.

Having a wellness committee at your work will generate 78

that strong sense of community. You can set up an internal wellness committee for your employees and assign tasks to produce monthly calendar visits of recognised experts, artists, healers, and coaches delivering a variety of creative workshops. That will give exposure to your employees as well as provide some valuable content. This can be set on a complimentary or minimum fee basis and linked to the company perks.

Employee satisfaction and engagement ensures the success of the programme. In turn, the employees will ensure programmes are always well-visited and promoted as well as guarantee success of the initiative in the future.

The key here is to remain humble and open to feedback, constantly engage with the employees, ask for their opinion on what will make sense to them.

Another important factor is the representation of all the departments and positions in your company, so the wellness committee acts as the chair of a wellness program and provides from their respective areas on wellness objectives and initiatives.

The main objective of a wellness committee would be: •

Create a healthy worksite culture

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Foster collaboration between employees

• Provides a communication link between employees and management Organisations and businesses that create wellness environments and workplace wellness initiatives benefit greatly in several ways. The wellness environments are helping on:

• Employee’s productivity: The energy promoting office space will correlate to increased productivity.

• Less office stress: By becoming a healthy workplace, you reduce the probability of an employee coming back home stressed and the chances of him/her being in a better mental and physical shape next day when reporting back to work.

• Fewer illnesses, better health: Healthy practices introduced at the office will encourage more employees to take part in, consequently boosting immunity and reducing absenteeism and sickness.

• Happier employees: Offering a wellness sanctuary at work will promote and encourage a positive work environment.

• Better company culture: Reshape the company’s culture to promote healthy living.

By creating a peaceful, restorative and inspiring place to walk into every day, you allow for creative and inspired employees to deliver their fruits of innovation and inspiration.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

VYARA TOSHEVA

Wellness, Spa and Retreats Business Consultant In over 19 years, Vyara Tosheva has gained professional experience in hospitality, leisure and wellbeing. Vyara graduated in Tourism Management and holds a Master’s Degree in Psychology and Sociology. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism, as well as internationallyaccredited certification courses in Hospitality and Spa Management. She travels the world to enhance her expertise through further certifications in Ayurveda, Wellness and Fitness Consultancy, Coaching and Psychology.

She is a certified NLP and EFT master coach and Reiki practitioner. She also led the opening of The Retreat Palm Dubai, the first wellness retreat resort in the UAE and GCC, as well as the Rayya Wellness and Poli-clinic Centre. She created and managed the first holistic

retreats in a hotel environment where in-house and visiting master practitioners, energy workers and doctors combine their knowledge with fitness, spa and beauty professionals to deliver transformational retreats.

As a consultant, she advises and consults hospitality and spa executives on the creation of wellness projects and their execution.

Vyara’s mission is to empower busy executives to create or enhance their business models geared toward a wellness lifestyle on both professional and personal levels. Her vision, on the other hand, is to create worldwide wellness and health retreat centres that provide premium services for its employees, guests and visitors.

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FUTURE-PROOF YOUR CAREER BY

BUILDING RESILIENCE

On an individual level, the current situation has affected us all—in different ways. Whichever way you look at this current situation, the fact is that it affects everyone differently. For some, the level of resilience and previous life experiences is not as sizable as for others.

Understandably, we all have different levels of stamina when it comes to uncertainties in life and overcoming struggles. We can either take this opportunity to discover our deeper strengths we each have within us and power through this, build our resilience and leverage the new reality for our own benefit.

Actually, I am not giving you another choice. Being a realistic optimist, I am not denying the challenges that what we are facing, but I believe focusing on the outcomes and what we WANT to see in our futures versus dreading on the current present, reflecting on this and using this space and mindset to discover our true potential is going to bring us more positive result than merely dwelling on the temporary situation we have found ourselves in.

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Let us explore ways we can build up our resilience in these times of uncertainties—or, in fact, in any difficult situation, we can apply these strategies and become stronger.

Resilience in the Remote Era The ability to cope with unexpected challenges and changes in life is referred to as resilience. Stress and disappointment are inevitable and are not always possible to prevent adverse situations. Health issues, financial stress, sorrow and relationship problems—it could be one of the many traumas in life. The current pandemic is definitely a situation where many of us are facing uncertainties in our careers and lives; the thought process alone can drive us to be paralysed in our next move or even in simple day to day tasks. The way to get through this in a positive way is to understand and implement the power of resilience.

To be able to live a satisfied and peaceful life, resilience is one of the keys. It can enhance relationships and

prevent depression. It safeguards us against any longterm difficulties and provides the strength to deal with unexpected changes and the one we anticipated but could not avoid. Resilience is a quality which is not limited to some. It can be developed by anyone to face any situation with determination and not see themselves as a victim.

Strategies to Build Resilience 1. Live to Learn Take challenges as an opportunity to learn and grow. The more you take challenges in a positive way, the more you will evolve and the more resilient you will be. Pain is inevitable, and everyone has to go through it at some point in time in their life. Look at it as an opportunity to solve the problem and learn in the process. Try to build a positive attitude and confidence in moving towards the pain, instead of avoiding it. This will take you a long way in building resilience. Write down what are the learnings for you from this pandemic. What positive outcomes can arise as a result of this current situation?

2. Be Hopeful and Focus on Gratitude Hopelessness is the worst possible choice anyone can make. We all feel hopeless periodically, but it should be avoided at best. People who have the trait of being resilient in themselves, do not define themselves by their fleeting emotions. Be hopeful, as it gives meaning and strength to survive. In addition to this, always be grateful for what you have. Take things positively and always see the glass as half full and not as half empty. Write down a list of things you are grateful for each morning. It can be as simple as working from home, having quality time with loved ones, finally setting up a home office for remote work in this situation, a good cup of coffee, enjoying breakfast with loved ones when working from home, etc.

3. Meditate Most of the painful thoughts that we have are in some ways related to our past and future. We regret the things which went wrong and feel anxious about the one which will. It is important to let go of what you cannot control, which is the past and the future and is more important to live in the present. This is where you will find things to be okay and normal, even when you are having trouble with something. Meditate as much as you can, because it will calm your mind from wandering either about the past or the future and will help you to live in the present. You can start with simply taking a moment to just breathe and quiet the mind for 3-5 minutes each day. Do this every day until it becomes a habit, then increase the minutes as you wish. Join the numerous free meditations available online, such as Deepak Chopra and others.

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4. Learn to Forgive Most of the time, holding grudges will be the reason to hold you back and probably the reason for your disappointment. If this is the case with you, learn to forgive, because your own mental and physical wellness is more important than holding grudges against each other. Let go of what happened for your own peace.

It doesn’t mean that you are reconciling with the other

person, it just means that you are letting the issue go, so it doesn’t affect you. Write down things that have been weighing you down and empty your mind from them. Pick up the phone and have a conversation with someone you have been avoiding due to old conflicts, talk, forgive. Forgiveness also starts with us, write down things you want to forgive yourself for and start there.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELENA AGARAGIMOVA Managing Partner at Bessern and Talent Development Specialist

Elena is an entrepreneur, talent development specialist, and education advocate with a deep interest in neuro and behavioural sciences. She is known for her ability to drive change within individuals and organisations that are looking to reach their potential and maintain their competitive edge in the business world.

She has started her career in higher education, having worked across various institutions, departments and regions. In her recent years, she dove into business and joined Bessern, as well as founded a learning and developing consultancy, as well as several other projects within the talent development arena.

She is an engaging skilled trainer and talent development specialist, credited with combining operations, education, and international expertise to design and deliver programs for diverse audiences. Elena has a strong passion for L&D, promoting creative and engaging workplaces and all about optimising performance through the development of others. As a career coach, Elena has over ten years of experience working individuals across different generations, supporting them in achieving their professional and personal goals.

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WHAT IS YOUR

SELF-CARE LANGUAGE?

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2020 has been a year of hardships with the pandemic and its effects that have left so many without jobs.

This has created an environment of uncertainty in so many people’s lives. Many of us have found ourselves getting panic or anxiety attacks. More than ever, it is important for us to learn our self-care language to ensure that we are in the best state physically, mentally and emotionally.

What is self-care?

Self-care are activities that we take part in to help take care of our physical, mental and emotional health and overall wellbeing as individuals. Self-care presents itself in six different ways.

1. Emotional Self-care These are activities that help you enhance and learn how to navigate your emotions as a person.

Emotional self-care includes talking to a therapist, journaling, painting and meditation- all of which aim to help you feel happier.

2. Physical Sel-fcare These activities help improve your physical health.

Working out, going for walks, practising healthy eating habits, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated.

3. Practical Self-care These are activities that are really important in your life and if not done can lead to so much stress.

Examples of practical self care are creating a budget, opening up a savings account, taking classes to improve your career, and paying your bills on time.

4. Spiritual Self-care These are activities that feed your spirit and develop your spiritual awareness, for example: meditating, going for a yoga class, going to your place of worship and praying.

5. Social Self-care These are activities that help you strengthen your relationships with your loved ones. Having your loved ones around you gives you a sense of belongingness and makes you feel safe. Examples include: going for a walk with your family members, going for brunch with your friends or even calling your aunties and uncles.

6. Mental Self-care These are activities that help stimulate your mind.

Examples include: playing a board game such as chess or monopoly, reading a book or even solving a puzzle.

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Love Languages Our self-care language is greatly influenced by our love languages. Love Languages are the ways we like to feel loved. Understanding our love languages will make it easier for us to discover our self-care languages. There are five love languages: 1. Touch If this is your love language, you enjoy being physically affectionate. You like holding hands or hugging.

2. Quality Time This love language means that when you are with your loved ones, you want their undivided attention. You love creating memories and enjoy going on dates, road trips, or even just being next to the ones you love without necessarily doing anything.

3. Words of Affirmation This love language means you like affirmation or praise.

You like it when your loved words are constantly telling you of how much they love you and are proud of you.

4. Gifts This love language doesn’t necessarily mean that you are materialistic but rather means that you like receiving well thought-out gifts. For example, paying for a class your loved one has wanted to take for a while.

help you feel better about yourself.

4. Gifts With gifts as your love language for your self-care language, you are drawn towards activities that allow you to satisfy your own desires. In other words, you love rewarding yourself by taking yourself on a vacation or staycation, buying yourself your favourite dessert, buying yourself a new outfit or even some flowers.

5. Acts of Service If your love language comprise acts of service, your self-care language draws you to activities that actually require you to do something. Your personal motto may as well be that actions speak louder than words so you can do activities such as gardening, baking, or even redecorating your house for self-care.

It is important for us to part in self-care activities as they help improve control stress, improve our overall well being and health.

5. Acts of Service This love language means you like it when your loved ones do things for you, such as cooking because they know it will make you happy.

Self-care is a way of showing love to yourself. If you can not love yourself, there is no way you can love others around you. It’s important to prioritise yourself mentally, emotionally and physically that way you can be there for others. Practising your selfcare might be something as simple as taking a fiveminute power nap during your lunch break at work.

Once you have figured out how you want others to love you, Its easier for you to determine your self-care language works best for you.

How does your love language influence your self-care language?

1. Touch You are drawn to activities that are physical. Massages, getting a manicure or pedicure for yourself or cuddling with your pet, 2. Quality Time You like activities that require you to be present. Reading a book, going for a date with your friends or partner, meditating, journaling or even something as simple as taking a bath.

3. Words of Affirmation You are drawn to activities that help improve your mental state. Saying your affirmations to yourself, writing letters to yourself, making a list of things you are grateful for, reading your favourite quotes that keep you inspired and

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mutazindwa N. Amirah, a budding writer and blogger, currently studies at the Amity University Dubai. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication. She is interested in fashion, food and travel and dreams of being a news anchor in the future. She believes in sharing the wonderful and diverse stories of people, and this led her to choose a career path of a writer and a journalist.

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WEALTH

CONSCIOUSNESS

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How many times have you heard that rich people aren’t to be trusted, are dishonest, greedy and steal money? Or that thay can’t be spritual? Some people also say that you can’t follow your passion or purpose and be rich at the same time. Some say that successful lpeople are also just plain lucky.

A couple of years ago, I was sitting in my home office reading the Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T Harv Eker. When I finished the book, the first thought that came up was how so many successful people write books describing their journey, and generously sharing all their insights and wisdom. Aren’t they worried that if people know their secrets, their piece of the pie might get less?

My question clashed with so many beliefs that had been planted deep within my subconscious mind-beliefs that were either created as a result of hearing some of those statements or as a result of making my own childhood deductions based on what I would see. I didn’t understand it fully at the time, but looking back, I can now understand why some patterns kept showing up in my life. Many of the actions I was taking and my decisions were being impacted by those beliefs, without me even realising it.

Our experience of reality is based on our beliefs, thoughts, opinions and perceptions.

Which brings me to wealth consciousnesswhat is it all about? It’s about shifting away from a scarcity mindset and cultivating an abundance mindset. It’s about realising that the supply of abundance is unlimited, and that tapping into that flow of abundance is every single person’s birthright.

Why is creating this mindset shift important?

It is because all these limiting beliefs

that have been placed in our mind are preventing us from acquiring the material wealth that is meant for us because we’ve created resistance to it, we’ve created a block. We are standing in the way of our own flow of abundance!

You might be thinking, “Why would I want to self sabotage myself?” Sometimes, it’s easier to place blame on external factors than take accountability for our own role in the situation. Sometimes, it’s not something we do intentionally. It’s our mind working on autopilot. We’ve heard these statements so much that we’ve started to mistake them for the objective truth.

Let’s bust some of these myths right now.

Myth 1: In order for a person to acquire a lot of business, they need to be trustworthy.

Why? It is because you’re definitely not going to be doing business with someone who is not trustworthy, so rich people can be trustworthy.

Myth 2: All these successful people share their tips through speaking at seminars and writing books bust another myth that they aren’t generous. Generosity is about sharing your blessings, whether it’s sharing money or experiences so rich people are generous.

Myth 3: Successful people are lucky. Did you know that Milton Hershey started three candy companies before Hershey’s? Arianna Huffington got rejected by 36 publishers.

Sir James Dyson failed 5,126 times over the course of 15 years before creating the eponymous best-selling bagless vacuum cleaner. Oprah Winfrey was fired from her first TV job as an anchor in Baltimore. Stephen King had his first book Carrie rejected 30 times. It’s definitely not about luck.

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Imagine abundance as a never ending river. It is always flowing and there is an unlimited supply of it. Every limiting belief that we have is like placing a brick in the river. The more limiting beliefs we have, the taller the brick wall gets, until it eventually starts to block the flow of water from passing through, thus blocking abundance all together.

The first step is acknowledging the limiting beliefs and the impact it has on our life.

The second step is to get intentional and take action.

To remove the limiting beliefs, and replace them with empowering beliefs such as I can follow my life purpose

and be successful, I can have success and meaning, I can tap into the supply of abundance, and I am worthy and deserving of abundance.

Lastly, whenever we see rich people, let us bless them.

When we see someone have a nice house, let us bless them and their house. When we see someone have a nice car, let us bless them and their car. Comparison and jealousy are both limiting beliefs as they focus on lack, on what is missing, rather than the potential of what could be.

This practice of sending blessings to those who have what we desire, allows us to focus on abundance rather than scarcity. Remember, what you focus on expands.

About the author Tannaz Hosseinpour, founder of Minutes on Growth Coaching, is a Dubai-based certified life coach specialising in mindset and relationships. She helps millennials manifest and cultivate empowered lives through one-on-one coaching, online programs, podcast episodes and social media content. She is the host of her self-improvement podcast, Minutes on Growth, available on Spotify, Apple and Google Podcast. She holds a Masters of Law degree in alternative dispute resolution, specialising in family mediation. Since 2017, she is also the CEO and founder of TP Education Consultants, an educational consultancy firm based in Toronto, Tehran and Dubai.

Website: www.minutesongrowth.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/minutesongrowth 88

GETTING WARM ON

CLIMATE ACTION

This is a call to action to all businesses to learn from the global pandemic of 2020 when it comes to their contribution to the climate crisis.

Last year, it seemed as if the climate crisis was the most pressing issue faced by the world at large. Around the globe, younger citizens went to the streets to voice their concerns for the environment they would grow up in. Older generations took note and began to tackle the issue with a never-before-seen sense of urgency. Businesses also noticed, and those pivoting to sustainable practices rose in favour. Reusable goods

took over from their disposable counterparts and the war on plastic kicked into high gear.

This year, the climate crisis appears to have taken a backseat, and the pandemic ripped through the globe and upended our daily lives in a matter of weeks. An unprecedented incident, it forced us out of our bubble of complacency and into a new existence where safety was not an afterthought. Though our attention has been diverted, the climate crisis is still existent, and these issues should remain front and centre.

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While COVID-19 has proved to be a major thorn in the sides for businesses worldwide, it has also revealed our collective capacity to adapt and innovate in very trying circumstances in the face of imminent danger. The forced slowdown in economic activity caused global emissions to experience the largest single-year reduction since the end of World War II. The overall lesson here is that effective change is not only possible, it is possible right now. The same urgency can be applied to the climate crisis, without waiting for the situation to reach breaking point.

How should businesses approach their individual energy policies in response to this looming threat? Whether you acknowledge it or not, the climate crisis is here to stay.

There is no vaccine. A lot of irreparable damage has already been done, and now it is a matter of using all our available resources to at least prevent further harm.

I work with SMEs in the country, primarily in understanding their level of awareness of the UN SDGs. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. (There are 17 goals in all with Goal No. 13 dedicated to climate action).

What I’ve noticed is that even with multiple industries and country-specific initiatives running parallel to global efforts, there is a major gap in awareness among SMEs in the country. Ignorance breeds inaction, and that is the single largest deterrent to any ground being made towards this pressing issue.

Here are three steps that all UAE companies can put in place to do their part in tackling global warming and climate change immediately.

STAY INFORMED AND BUILD A CULTURE OF AWARENESS 1. Visit the official UAE SDG portal for information on all the 17 SDGs as well as the various initiatives and projects underway. This way, you are aware of the progress the UAE is making, and your business has the opportunity to take part in these initiatives as well.

2. Make these initiatives a part of your company’s mission statement and cascade updates to your employees regularly.

3. Publicise your company’s effort in tackling these issues and your contributions. This will solidify brand loyalty with your customers.

4. Wherever possible raise awareness among your employees, stakeholders and clients.

MONITOR AND REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION With the lockdown, you’ve likely already witnessed a reduction in your company’s energy bill, and know that your workforce is slowly gearing towards returning to their offices, it’s time to keep that momentum going.

1. Turning off the lights in the office in the evening, slightly lowering the heating or the air conditioning or taking devices off the plugs when it’s not needed are some good actions companies can implement.

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2. If your offices have elaborate water features, regularly check to make sure there are no leaks and unnecessary water wastage. Remember, that 2.2 million people around the world lack access to safe, clean drinking water.

3. Switch to solar-powered lighting options in spaces like hallways and car parks.

4. Invest in smart monitoring solutions that can give you the most energy-efficient use of your office spaces.

MONITOR WASTE Whether it is the industrial waste of a large company or the paper waste of an SME of the tertiary sector, all companies produce waste. When developing wastereduction strategies, focus your efforts on reducing, reusing and recycling—in that order 1. Strive to go 100% percent paperless, reducing the number of prints, reusing papers as drafts, sort waste for recycling correctly (Refer the Dubai Paperless Strategy) 2. Donate old electronics and office furniture, and use packaging material that is reusable, compostable or recyclable.

3. Use mugs and other kitchen crockery in your

About the Author

MOHAMED ISMAIL FARAH Artist, content creator and consultant

pantry spaces, as opposed to disposable cups, plates, stirrers and coffee capsules.

4. Choose suppliers that are committed to, and publicise their environment-friendly efforts in delivering services to your business.

5. Optimise employee transport, encouraging public transport or carpooling options.

The planet and capitalism don’t have to be at odds.

By minimising the carbon footprint of your business, you can cut energy costs, improve employee morale, build your brand’s reputation as a leader in sustainability and even increase your bottom line—all while protecting the resources and planet we need to operate and thrive.

Mohamed is a creative, driven and articulate individual with 10 years of work experience, primarily in Finance and International Trade and Development, having previously worked in roles in Marketing, Sales, Project Management, Process Management, Customer Experience and Retail Banking for HSBC Middle East.

On a personal level, Mohamed cares deeply and passionately about art, artistic expression and especially art education. He paints, illustrates, sketches, designs and sculpts. Mohamed is also very big on sustainable development and corporate sustainability, having taken part and spearheaded a range of initiatives aiming to contribute to the SDGs (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals), a universal call adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.

Mohamed is currently engaged in supporting innovative enterprises to expand their brand’s footprint to the UAE. 91

FOOD

FRENCH FRIES AROUND THE WORLD

French fries, also known as chips in some countries, are among the most cherished foods across the globe. Who would’ve thought that a humble potato dish hailing from Belgium could etch such a lasting impression in modern culture? It is said that the average person can consume up to 30 pounds (13 kg) of fries in a single year!

Whilst this may be a French dish by name, French fries date back to the late 1600s to a quaint village in Meuse Valley, Belgium.

This delectable food was created by the genius of the local fishers who would substitute potatoes for fish when rivers were frozen over during winter. Just as they would fry their fish, so they did their potatoes; and this was just the beginning of a tasty crusade.

As the French fry has touched most, if not all, parts of the world with its savouring flavour, the renditions that have come about are nothing short of a palatal sensation. From Masala to honey, to mayonnaise, plain fries have become a canvas, open to a variety of tinctures and tastes. What follows are some displays of how people around the world enjoy their French fries.

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1. Kenya - Masala Chips Masala Chips are a savoured food for Kenyans, and they pack quite the punch! These fries are usually coated in a piquant mix of spices such as; chilli powder, ground cumin and coriander, and they are generously fried in an oil infused with ginger and garlic paste. Best eaten hot, they serve a spicy bite.

2. South Africa - Slap Chips Slap (pronounced “slup”) is an Afrikaans word that means soft, so describing the delicate taste of these fries. South African slap chips are thickly cut, twice-fried and dressed lavishly in vinegar and salt. The simplicity of these fries allow them to be accompanied by a variety of relishes and sandwiches, but as they are often served in generous portions, they are gladly enjoyed alone.

3. India - Finger Chips Truth be told, with India in the mix, flavours are innumerable; hence why their finger chips are a great example of flavour assortment. If a crispier bite is preferred, there are recipes that call for a wheat flour coating to ensure just that. If a spicy taste is desired, a dash of chaat masala and chilli powder can do all the work, all that’s next is coupling the fries with either ketchup, chutney, mayonnaise, or all of the above!

4. Russia - Kartofel Fri This Russian take on French fries, takes the original fry and combines it with the tanginess of chopped onion by cooking the two together. That way the sharpness of the onion is mellowed down by the satiating starch of the fry, proves it to be a delectable combo worth trying.

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5. Bulgaria - Kartofi Sus Sirene Kartofi sus Sirene is translated from Bulgarian to mean “chips with cheese�. Despite it not being a tourist staple, it is cherished throughout the country. Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication manifested in the assembling of these fries; seasoned with salt and pepper and topped with an extravagant helping of Sirene cheese, which has been likened to the salty-lemony taste of Feta.

6. South Korea - Honey butter fries A famous fast food restaurant in South Korea launched its honey butter fries which got immense attention from the public. Eventually, the skinny fries covered in butter and honey, garnered so much attention that South Korean youth would order massive amounts and come together for honey butter fry parties.

7. Japan - Furaido Potato Japanese French fries enjoy an easy seasoning of seaweed, sesame seeds and Katsuobushi; also known as, Bonito flakes, which is a dried, smoked Skipjack tuna that has been fermented and exudes a salty and garlic taste.

8. Vietnam - Khoai Tay Chien While Vietnam boasts an array of French fry recipes such as; french fries with milk and/or butter, their most renowned one is their fry combination with butter and sugar. Here is another sweet spin-off to a popularly salty dish; almost making French fries viable for dessert!

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9. Spain - Patatas Bravas After ticking off tapas and drinks on the list of things to eat in Spain, be sure to feast on these chunky fries.

Patatas Bravas is a common Spanish delicacy that contrasts the familiar slim and long french fry; instead, they are bite-sized cubes of deliciousness. They are drizzled with a spicy sauce along with garlic aioli and topped with smoked paprika and green herbs such as chives.

10. Belgium - Frites As Belgium is the birthplace of the French fry, its current way of eating fries gives insight into the rich history of this remarkable food. Also known as frites, these thick, double-fried bites of salted potato glory are served hot, normally in a cone and popularly topped with a generous dollop of mayonnaise.

11. Netherlands - Patatje Oorlog Patatje Oorlog is Dutch that translates to mean “chips at war�. Indeed, there is a battle of flavours taking place in this Dutch classic; fries are topped with mayonnaise, chopped raw onion and a peanut sauce. While this may seem like a peculiar combination, it is very much dear to the palates that enjoy it.

12. France - Pommes Frites While there’s a bit of banter going on behind the scenes between the French and the Belgians, over the origin of French fries, the French pride themselves in a more chic version of the recipe. Pomme Frites are known to be much thinner and longer, keeping strictly to size uniformity. The precision in the method creates evenly and equally browned fries ready to be tossed in sea salt and freshly ground pepper.

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13. United Kingdom - Fish & Chips Fish and chips have proved to be an iconic duo that goes hand-in-hand; what was once a staple in the UK alone has spread far and wide. These fries are much thicker with a softer inside encased by a crispy layer.

Simply salted and spared some vinegar and one can dig in!

14. Ireland - Curry Chips Ireland has taken French fries and turned into a staple for avid pub-goers, mostly because of its generous helping of sauce over some freshly served fries. Albeit, the curry that drips off the fries isn’t the typical spicy curry, it makes a great companion for some sharp cheddar cheese which is popularly grated over the hot sauce, creating an even richer portion of fries, be sure to bring a serviette.

15. Canada - Poutine Aside from maple leaves, Poutine is the ultimate Canadian trademark; a feast for the eyes first, then for the tongue as it experiences its flavours. Some good ol’ fries blanketed by a savoury gravy sprinkled with cheese curds, indulgent, comforting and filling.

16. United States - French Fries While the US boasts that President Thomas Jefferson brought French fry into worldwide popularity, they enjoy a batch of fries that are far from the norm. Double fried skinny fries are smothered in a deluge of American cheese, caramelised onion and thousand islands dressing sauce. How’s that for untamed?

The eminence of French fries in the modern diet continues to grow, and it is quite interesting to see how people around the world are diversifying the once ‘only-salty’ dish into something that gives hints of their culture and tastes.

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FITNESS

7 Ways to Improve Cardiovascular Fitness The cardiovascular system, also known as the circulatory system, is made up of the heart and the blood vessels. Its main job is to pump and circulate blood throughout the body. More specifically, the cardiovascular system is responsible for delivering nutrients and essential materials to sustain life, namely oxygen, to the cells in your body. It is also responsible for removing waste materials from the body.

The cardiovascular system has three primary functions: transportation of materials, protection from pathogens, and regulation of the body’s homeostasis. Learning more about how the cardiovascular system functions will help us understand how to maintain our overall health and fitness.

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Transportation The cardiovascular system transports blood to almost all of the body’s tissues. The blood delivers essential nutrients and oxygen and removes wastes and carbon dioxide to be processed or removed from the body. Hormones are transported throughout the body via the blood’s liquid plasma.

Protection The cardiovascular system protects the body through its white blood cells. White blood cells clean up cellular debris and fight pathogens that have entered the body.

Platelets and red blood cells form scabs to seal wounds and prevent pathogens from entering the body and liquids from leaking out. Blood also carries antibodies that provide specific immunity to pathogens that the body has previously been exposed to or has been vaccinated against.

Regulation The cardiovascular system is instrumental in the body’s ability to maintain homeostatic control of several internal conditions. Blood vessels help maintain a stable body temperature by controlling the blood flow to the surface of the skin.

Blood vessels near the skin’s surface open during times of overheating to allow hot blood to dump its heat into the body’s surroundings.

In the case of hypothermia, these blood vessels constrict to keep

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blood flowing only to vital organs in the body’s core. Blood also helps balance the body’s pH due to the presence of bicarbonate ions, which act as a buffer solution. Finally, the albumins in blood plasma help to balance the osmotic concentration of the body’s cells by maintaining an isotonic environment.

Why Do You Need Cardio in the First Place?

• • • •

Ward off heart disease Manage your weight Mood improvement Live longer

When most people think of cardiovascular (cardio) exercises, the first activities that come to mind are running, cycling, or swimming. Yes, these are great ways to get your heart rate up, but not everyone enjoys them. Cardio should be a key part of your healthy lifestyle. Luckily, there’s no “onesize-fits-all” approach.

If you’re looking to incorporate more cardio into your exercise routine, don’t be intimidated by the seasoned marathon runners you see around you. Heart-healthy workouts don’t have to involve spending hours on the treadmill or running marathons. There are plenty of fun and creative ways to get your cardio in and actually enjoy it. Here are 7 ways:

1. Skipping Skipping is great for your overall fitness, whether it’s part of a warm-up or included in your main exercise session.

Skipping has to be one of the cheapest exercises available.

You need minimal equipment, minimal space and you can practise just about anywhere — indoors or out. Skipping not only supports cardiovascular fitness but also leg strength, stamina, coordination, bone strength, balance, agility, flexibility and endurance.

2. Dancing There’s something about grooving to the sound of music that seems to take all of our cares away. Maybe it’s the beat of your favourite tunes or the heart-pumping workout that gets you up and off the couch. Or perhaps it’s the challenge of mastering the more complicated moves that brings you so much joy. Regardless of your reasons, one thing’s for sure: the physical, mental, and emotional health benefits of dancing are endless. Dancing can help you lose weight, stay flexible, reduce stress, make friends and more.

3. Power walking/Speed walking Power walking is known to lower your risk for diabetes and high blood pressure. It is a great way to stay fit, improve your heart and joint health, and boost your mental wellbeing.

4. Boxing Boxing is one of the best cardio-respiratory workouts you can do. The fitness of a boxer is often unparalleled in sports.

Boxing is also a great way to improve bone strength, relieve stress, improve balance, hand-eye coordination and body composition.

5. Hula Hooping Hula hooping exercises can be so much fun. They are a great way to burn calories, build strength, get rid of the belly fat, and also fight mental illnesses like depression.

All you need is a hula hoop, comfortable clothes and 30 minutes of your time.

6. Jumping Jacks There is no doubt that one of the best parts of doing jumping jacks on a regular basis is that they are great for your cardiovascular health. They are also free.

7. Stairs While most exercises might not seem like your cup of tea, there’s one type of exercise which is highly beneficial and requires you to do very little: climbing stairs.

When compared to running and walking, climbing stairs burns a lot more calories. It engages all the abdominal muscles, stimulates organs, activates the spine and reduces the risk of knee, leg and ankle injuries. What’s more, climbing stairs is something that can be done no matter the season.

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SAADIYAT ROTANA RESORT & VILLAS SAADIYAT ISLAND, ABU DHABI UNITED ARAB EMIRATES T: +971 2 697 0000 | F: +971 2 697 0123 100

TRAVEL OUT AND ABOUT FOR

THE BEST UAE SPAS 2020 has been both a mentally and physically draining year for all of us. That’s why we all need a spa day or vacation to help us recharge and reconnect. We are listing the best award-winning spas in the United Arab

Emirates that will help you relax and forget the troubles of the world with their carefully crafted treatments and relaxing ambience that will leave you feeling pampered like the royalty you are.

Talise Ottoman Spa For the Ottoman Experience.

The Talise Ottoman Spa, one of the ultimate luxury spas in the world, is located at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. The spa has an ethereal Ottoman ambience, and offers services such as cryotherapy, signature treatments, organic treatments and a variety of ultra-relaxing massages. Choose from an exotic Thai massage, reflexology treatments, Ancient Hot Stone, Balinese massage, Mother-to-be-Massage for mothers expecting little bundles of joy, and a Couples Experience Side-by-Side massage for you and your partner.

This globally acclaimed award-winning spa will treat you to a range of luxury amenities, with notable ones popular for tourists and bloggers such as the Turkish Hammam, Thalassotherapy Pools and Snow Room. The staff are extremely attentive, leaving you feeling like a princess or prince.

What do we recommend?

The Sultan’s Massage, which is a Talise Signature.

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Armani SPA A Giorgio Armani design.

In the heart of Dubai at 12,000 ft is the Armani Spa labelled as the World’s Best Hotel Spa of 2019. The spa is located at the Armani Hotel in Dubai and is designed to create an environment of peace and tranquillity. Each guest to the spa has a specially designed experience

by Armani after consultation with a Spa Professional.

The spa also offers outstanding services in sequential thermal bathing, personal fitness for those looking to feel and look their best and also provides private areas for its exclusive customers to relax.

If you are looking for a good deal, the Armani Spa offers complimentary sequential thermal bathing, access to its swimming pool with a panoramic view of the city plus a relaxation lounge experience for the customer that uses any of the Spa Collections.

What do we recommend?

For a full day of relaxation, we recommend the Full Day Armani/Spa Classic Collection that comes with a body massage, facial, body treatments of your choice, a manicure and pedicure with SPA lunch and dinner.

ShuiQi Spa For The Best Spa Service Situated in the heart of Atlantis The Palm is the luxury ShuiQi Spa. It is the place for you to relax and rejuvenate and gives you the freedom to discover yourself. The treatments at this luxurious spa are designed for both men and women. Choose from the Arabian Rose Ritual, Atlantis Legend, Sublime Illumination, Salt and Crystal, ESPa energy Balancing Treatment and so many others. The staff are very friendly and provide excellent service to the guests, helping them feel calm and relaxed.

What do we recommend?

Yoga at the lost chambers to help you reconnect with your mind, body and soul while being surrounded by over 65,000 marine animals. Now that’s an experience of a lifetime.

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Nurai Spa at Zaya Nurai Island, Abu Dhabi For your Private Island Getaway The Nurai Spa is located on the private island Zaya Nurai Island in Abu Dhabi. It is the perfect place for a spa guest looking to relax and manage stress. The treatment rooms have beautiful views of the sea, making your spa experience luxurious.

The Nurai Spa was designed with the relaxation and wellbeing of the customer in mind. The spa offers beauty and body treatments that include massages, scrubs and wraps, facials, waxing and threading, and so much more. A visit to the Nurai Spa will rebalance one’s mind, body and spirit.

What do we recommend?

The Ayurveda Abhyanga Massage that will help improve blood circulation in your body and will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah, Dubai For You and Your Needs Overlooking the waters of the Arabian Gulf is the spa at Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah. It is designed to cater to your needs as a customer by putting your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing at the centre of your spa visit. The treatments at the spa are influenced by the spa’s oriental heritage and UAE culture, creating an experience like no other. This spa offers treatments such as the Royal Saffron, Oriental Harmony, Blissful Marma and The signature VitaDrip all of which are tailored to improve your overall well being.

What do we recommend?

The Nomadic Sensory Journey has elements of Emirati drumming with soothing herbs that will help firm your skin and improve blood circulation in your body.

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15

MOST UNIQUE HOTELS IN THE WORLD

We travel to explore new locations and discover cultures that will surely fulfil us. If you’re one that’s also looking for not just a relaxing but a memorable stay in your chosen destination, you must check out these 15 most unique hotels in the world.

1. Bed Bookstore (Japan) The Bed Bookstore is a paradise for book lovers!

This hotel looks like a used bookstore – with surprises. Wait until you slide open a bookshelf that will lead you to a nook design with a reading

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light. You can stay in one of the stacked cubbies; each is sufficient to accommodate one person. Just behind the bookshelves are books of up to 3,000 titles. Outside the shelves is a common gathering and reading area.

2. Dromen Aan Zee (Netherlands) This hotel celebrates the seafaring culture of Harlingen. Its guests can stay in a harbour crane 56 feet above the ground. The control rooms and machines of the harbour crane are now apartments offering guests with a fantastic view of the sea. Here, the guests can also enjoy the sight of the harbour’s daily routine while enjoying their meals.

3. Golden Crown Levin Iglut (Finland) Looking for a unique hotel? The Golden Crown Levin Iglut hotel might be just for you! It offers a panoramic and cosy ambience that fits a king. Especially if you love the northern lights, you should check-in in one of the igloo accommodations for families or couples. Every igloo is with a double bed, kitchenette, a full bath and what else not? It also offers you the perfect view of the aurora-like nowhere else can give.

4. Palacio de Sal (Bolivia) When looking for a unique hotel, there is no doubt that the Palacio de Sal, which is built almost only in salt, is on the list. There is nothing more unique than the idea of using salt to create a luxury hotel in the middle of the desert. You can just imagine how it came to be that almost most of this 48,500 sq. ft. creation was made using salt.

That’s not all because even the furniture is.

Each room is climate-controlled and with a private-tiled bath. Besides the uniqueness and remoteness of this hotel, other draws include its amazing star-filled sky and large salt flats.

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5. Hotel Costa Verde (Costa Rica) Costa Verde has been designed and refined from time to time to offer guests a unique taste of what they call tropical luxury, featuring a jungle oasis for groups and families. This hotel offers a wide range of options, including on-site spa services or a vacation living. Guests can also choose from four different restaurants, each with a menu to cater to everyone’s unique taste.

Costa Verde also features three luxurious cliffside pools with spacious rooms, bungalows, studios, and sundecks. All the rooms are with a balcony that provides guests with a rainforest canopy and long coastline view.

6. Happy Nomads Village (Kyrgyzstan) Do you want to immerse in the culture and life of the Kyrgyz? You might want to check into the Happy Nomads Village that features three yurts and that’s surrounded by amazing flower gardens. Every yurt or bozui is with heated floors and twin beds in which five people can be accommodated. Its interiors are simple with wall designs and lovely, colourful rugs. You can enjoy different activities, including a horseback ride into the countryside in the warm weather or skiing in the winter.

7. Santos Express, Mossel Bay (South Africa) This hotel, which is remarkable for its 1902 passenger train design, is only 100 feet away from Santos Beach and a few minutes of walk to the harbour, downtown and Dias Museum complex. It has two royal suite cars, which are ideal for couples and families looking to have the entire car for themselves. Santos Beach also is known for activities, such as boardwalk shopping and whale-watching.

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8. Burj Al Arab Jumeirah (Dubai) A definition of luxury, the iconic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, is one of the world’s most renowned hotels. One of its primary draws is its sail-shaped structure and an underwater restaurant.

It also has the very expensive $23,000 per night royal suite.

9. Treehouse Lodge Resort (Peru) Do you want to sleep with the sound of the Amazon rainforest? Check out the Treehouse Lodge Resort. You can only reach this place after an hour-long boat ride before climbing between 34 and 67 feet to one of the treehouses positioned right above the rich canopy. Many animals, including sloths, macaws, and monkeys, often also frequent this resort, making the experience more interesting.

10. Jumbo Stay (Sweden) The Jumbo Stay offers guests a unique experience of staying in a converted 747212B jumbo jet, literally. This hotel offers a memorable stay to guests, including families with children and business people.

It is also popular because it’s in the Arlanda airport’s entrance.

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11. Manta Resort (Zanzibar) The hotel is famous for its location on a remote island, which is surrounded by majestic waters, offering visitors a unique stay. If you want to make your experience more memorable, you might want to book it’s underwater room, giving you a sight of marine life. The spotlights can be switched on at night to attract octopuses and fishes, too.

12. No Man’s Fort (UK) No Man’s Fort is one of the largest artificial forts built as a defence line versus enemies attacking Portsmouth and Solent. This hotel boasts 22 different luxurious suites and rooms.

The primary draws also include its wide range of activities and facilities.

13. Giraffe Manor (Kenya) This boutique hotel has an elegant interior, lovely courtyards, and verdant green gardens. Some guests are reminded of the film Out of Africa; however, that’s not all because this place boasts its Rothschild giraffes that visit it every morning and evening. They used to poke their necks into the windows to greet guests and hope for some treats.

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14. Sun Cruise Resort (South Korea) This tourist destination hotel is famous not only for its astounding sunrise view but also for its amazing cruise ship on land design. You will be amazed by its position, being constructed on the mountain edge. You will feel as if you’re out at sea but without leaving your room. This resort offers guests with 211 rooms to choose from, hotelstyle and condominium-style.

15. Conrad Maldives (Maldives) Have an adventure both above and below the Indian Ocean’s surface. This hotel, which is developed and built through the fusion of technology and modern design, offers guests with the Muraka, the world’s first underwater hotel villa.

There you have the most unique hotels in the world that you must not miss if you’re looking for memorable accommodation and vacation. Which among them would you choose for your next getaway?

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FOR THE CULTURE

DEAR BLACK WOMEN,

YOUR MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS Now more than ever, we must focus on our mental health.

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As a Black woman, the pandemic, self-isolation, and racism have left me feeling mentally and emotionally drained. While adapting to a new way of life and routine working from home this year, I found myself focusing more on my mental health.

I had fallen victim to own my thoughts, reflecting on my life while trying to stay strong. Productivity was being shoved down our throats, and I hated it. Productivity memes were shared across social media shunning anyone who wasn’t working on a newfound hobby like reading a novel a day, starting a new business, baking banana bread, or working out constantly. There was pressure to stay productive, strong, and resilient when honestly the world as a whole was in shambles.

Protests erupted around the world, and conversations about systemic racism and racial bias against marginalised groups began. There was an ongoing dialogue that racism exists in all countries in one way or another, and the marginalisation and/or oppression of people of colour based on socially constructed racial hierarchy happens across most societies.

I found myself triggered by the thought of police brutality against a Black woman remembering the trauma I experienced when the police pulled me over during the summer of 2015. I was driving to Atlanta from Virginia and was pulled over in South Carolina by a state trooper, harassed for over 2 hours, and searched for drugs. Thankfully I made it out alive and unharmed physically, but during that moment of interrogation and harassment, I was made to feel lower than I’ve ever felt before.

The more I was harassed by the police, the more I realised that this wasn’t just a routine traffic stop but that the police pulled me over because I was simply driving while Black. The assumption that I had firearms or drugs in my possession baffled me. The disrespect I felt by authorities who were supposed to protect and serve, broke me down. I internalised the trauma so that I could remain strong not knowing that the death of Breonna Taylor years later would be the breaking point for my mental health as a Black woman.

I was mentally exhausted, living in a world where I was simply judged by my skin colour. I was exhausted from carrying the burden of my ancestors who were beaten, raped, enslaved,

and forced to live in a country that didn’t even consider them to be human. I was constantly feeling weighed down by the pain of other Black women around the world who were fighting to end systemic racism in their countries.

The domestic workers in Lebanon demand accommodation, food, healthcare, and other support during an economic crisis. The women in Zimbabwe who were sexually assaulted by police and soldiers. The woman in America who demanded that major companies release their total number of Black employees for consumers to see. We constantly have to fight twice as hard to get even half of the respect we deserve. But I knew in order to survive this fight I had to put my self-care first. I immediately found a holistic therapist and started the journey of healing from my traumatic experiences. I realised I suppressed my feelings of anger and sadness for years, and the events of this past year had brought those feelings to the forefront. I was able to address my issues head-on with my therapist through a holistic approach that included spiritual counselling, meditation, and journaling. Throughout my sessions with my therapist, I was vulnerable able to release the burdens that I held on to for so long. I felt like a weight was lifted from my shoulders.

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No matter how big or small, we all have our own stories or experiences of racism that we tucked away and internalised to remain strong. Black women are forced to be strong, so we can fight to exist in a world that is constantly trying to dehumanise us. Systemic racism not only puts a strain on our wellbeing, finances, and physical safety, but it also drains our mental health.

But for us to remain healthy emotionally, we must make our mental health a priority.

Black women, it’s time for us to stop, take a breath,

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

and release the burdens of this world. It’s okay to give yourself permission to turn off the news and unplug from social media when you feel anxious and overwhelmed. Do the things that bring you the balance you need to have a full cup to pour from. Pray, meditate, exercise, or seek therapy when you feel like the burdens of life are getting too heavy. You’re only human, and it’s okay to not feel okay. Taking a break doesn’t mean that you are weak, ignoring your responsibilities and don’t care, it means that you are putting your self-care and mental health first.

MONIQUE L. SPEARMAN is a freelance multi-faceted writer, curator and creator.

Blending a passion for content creating, social media marketing, photography and travel, Monique created her blog website RaineyAmore.com in the spring of 2017 as a hobby. Raineyamore.com is a lifestyle, fashion, beauty and travel brand that encourages men and women from around the world to live their best lives, out-loud. Inspired by the aesthetics of different cultures, Monique wants to show the world, "Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it!"

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JUST AS YOU LIKE

William Shakespeare wrote plays like As you like it and The Merchant of Venice. These

world-

renowned plays revolve on love and life. In the play As you like it, the main character Rosalind camouflaged herself as a boy shepherd to find and save her love, Antonio.

Today, the world is full of people like Rosalind.

People will do anything to secure their jobs, marriage, friendships and social status. There are people who are disguising their true self and forced to live by the idea of just as they would like it. This toxic way of life, unlike Rosalind’s, might not end us in a happy ending since our lives are not written and framed by the ink and paper of a play.

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YOUR JOB AND YOURSELF

into your role. Define your job as you would like.

Your job is important to your development as a person. You should

work

hard

whatever

position you have; however, it

Your approach with love and

shouldn’t define what you are.

relationship must be just as you

Working in an organisation can

like. Pretending to be someone

be an intimidating process, so

that is not you will never work. The

many people spend so much time

constant anxiety and covering up

fitting in rather than focusing on

will only hurt you and the people

standing out and being the best

around you. If you fail to be

version of themselves. There’s

yourself, no one else will not be

no right or wrong on showcasing

genuinely happy to be with you. Be

your personality and beliefs while

true to yourself and to everyone,

doing your job, but you need to

and eventually, you will find the

make sure that you’re not breaking

right people who will accept and

any of your company’s rules. Be

treasure the real you.

yourself while standing out to fit 114

YOUR RELATIONSHIP AND YOURSELF

YOUR SOCIAL STATUS AND YOURSELF Building and maintaining your social status is difficult, especially if you keep on pretending like someone else.

Modern technology, especially social media, is forcing people to fit themselves into the crowd. People are spending time on doing things they don’t normally do just to be accepted by their friends. One thing you should remember is if your friends don’t love you as you are, then they are not your real friends, and you shouldn’t be with them. You are the best when you are true to yourself and people who will

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

like that are those you need to be in your life.

JEROME DOUGLAS

There should be nothing to stop you from living the best of

Jerome Douglas is a 27-year old trained teacher, poet and writer from the beautiful island of Jamaica. His personal philosophy is “If it is for me to be, then it is up to me.” He attended the Catholic College of Mandeville in Jamaica. Additionally, he is a community builder and humanitarian who volunteers his time to help with the academic and social well-being of people in his Central Jamaica community and surrounding areas.

yourself. Every one of us has our own purpose and don’t force yourself to fit into a crowd that refuses to accept the real you.

Don’t worry about things that you can’t change. Always keep in mind about what is right and fix the things you can. Seek the true wisdom and apply it to your life. It’s your own life: your own decision, mistakes, plans and dreams. We only have one life to live so cherish and get the best out of it by living just as you like.

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BOOK REVIEW

THE 5 AM CLUB

Take excellent care of the front end of your day, and the rest of your day will pretty much take care of itself. Own your morning. Elevate your life.

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Ever wondered how best you can achieve maximum productivity? The 5 AM Club might be just what you need to start your journey to effectively utilise the time you have during the day in order to guarantee success for yourself.

The 5 AM Club was published in November of 2018

by Robin Sharma. It was written over a period of four years and is both a work of fiction and a self-help book. The book’s tagline means the way you spend your mornings sets the pace for the rest of the day.

SUMMARY OF THE BOOK The book begins with an entrepreneur whose business is in jeopardy, and so she decides to attend a self-help conference by the famous Spellbinder who is known for sharing success tips. The entrepreneur meets an artist who is also attending the same conference to learn ways in which he can fuel his creativity. They are approached by a homeless-looking man who turns out to be a billionaire and reveals that he was able to create his wealth because of the teachings he received from the Spellbinder.

The billionaire offered to mentor both the entrepreneur and the artist, just like the Spellbinder did for him. In order for them to create a better future for themselves, he shared a very important tip: create a good morning routine. They decided to meet the following day at 5 AM. The journey to self-improvement and realisation begins.

This book asserts the saying that the early bird catches the worm. The billionaire revealed to his new mentees that the secret to his success was, in fact, waking up at 5:00 AM every day. The most successful people in the world wake up at 5:00 AM as it gives them a competitive advantage over the rest of us who find it difficult to wake up really early in the morning.

A common mistake in this modern age is the moment we wake up we get on our phones and start scrolling through social media which in the long run has negative effects such as anxiety and stress.

This is so because we are immediately bombarded with other people’s requests and to-do lists. The first hour when you get up from 5:00 AM to 6:00 AM gives you some alone time to take care of yourself and align your thoughts, do some exercises both physically and mentally which help ensure good health in the long run. This one hour will keep you both happy and peaceful throughout the day.

LESSONS TAUGHT IN THE BOOK • 20/20/20 Formula The 20/20 rule says when you wake up at 5:00 AM in the morning, you should divide your first hour from 5:00 AM - 6:00 PM with 20 minutes to move, 20

minutes to reflect and 20 minutes to grow.

For the MOVE pocket, you are supposed to take part in exercises that will result in the rise of dopamine in your body leading to an increase in energy levels, less stress and overall focus and productivity through your day.

The REFLECT pocket is where you meditate, write in your journal and pray, which will result in you being happy and more aware leading to an increase in your creativity, positivity and even performance.

The GROW pocket is where you develop your mind by reading books or listening to podcasts so as to deepen your knowledge and improve your mindset leading to personal growth and gaining inspiration from others.

• Pre Sleep Ritual Early to bed early to rise is a statement we have all been told at least once in our lifetimes. It applies greatly in this scenario. In order for you to wake up early, you need to create a good sleep ritual so as to get a good night’s rest before the following day.

Between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM is when you are supposed to have your dinner which is then followed by switching off any gadgets such as phones, laptops and even tablets because if they are used our bodies are unable to melatonin which is the sleep-inducing hormone.

Between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM, you are supposed to catch up with your family, take a relaxing birth, meditate or even read a book. Then between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM you prepare to sleep. Practising a pre-sleep ritual will help you sleep wonderfully so that you don’t get sleep deprived for waking up early the following day.

• Praise and Critique I think the writer delivered in terms of the topic he was writing about the importance of waking up early. I personally found the book to be a little wordy in terms of the storyline, which at times felt like a distraction from the main points of the book. This is definitely not a book for everyone; it requires you to be patient, and you might need to read it more than once to fully understand it.

Although I know and believe there is not only one route to success, I am inclined to join The 5 AM Club. Plus Robin Sharma’s clients are owners of 100 companies, professional athletes and billionaires, so if it worked for them with some hard work persistence and commitment, it might work for you and me.

“Anyway, let me simply say that the place where your greatest discomfort lies is also the spot where your largest opportunity lives.”

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